Minerals & Vitamins Chris Ellason

Minerals Macro minerals –Ca, P, Na, Cl, Mg, K and S Trace or micro minerals –Co, Cu, F, I, Fe, Mn, Mo, Se, Zn

Calcium Milk fever poorly mineralized bones osteoporosis weak egg shells

Calcium 99% is stored in bones in a 2:1 ratio with P Controls nerve and muscle excitability Aids in blood coagulation Skeletal and heart muscular contraction and relaxation

Calcium Ca absorption is accomplished by active transport CaBP (Calcium Binding Protein) controls absorption and in most species is Vitamin D dependent Typically as dietary Ca increases, percent absorbed decreases Vitamin D deficiency can result in depressed Ca uptake due to CaBP

Phosphorus Poorly mineralized bones –osteoporosis impaired fertility Rickets –Stiffness of joints and muscles, dramatic weight loss, and bone degeneration

Phosphorus Approximately 80% of total body P is contained in skeletal system Serum P occurs in both organic and inorganic forms Organic form is primarily lipid Inorganic is in a variety of forms, ionized, bound to proteins, etc.

Phytic Acid P is bound as an ester of inositol Renders it basically unavailable to nonruminants Phytate is high in many plant seeds Some inorganic sources may contain more or less phytate Can be available for ruminants

Toxicity Can occur in extreme cases Results in excessive bone resorption High levels can depress absorption of Ca –Ca:P ratio should be 1:1 to 2:1 in male ruminants –Excess P may cause urinary calculi

Magnesium Grass Tetany Can replace Ca, and P in bones Staggering

Magnesium 3 rd most prevalent mineral in the body ½ total MG is contained in bone Mg in soft tissue is concentrated mainly in liver and skeletal muscle

Magnesium functions Required for normal bone formation Enzyme activation ATP enzymes and P transfer

Toxicity Mg toxicity is manifested through –Depressed intakes –Cardiorespiratory depression –Even heart stoppage Chronic high levels can result in P depletion in bones

Potassium Weakness emaciation, loss of weight Dehydration distended abdomen

Function Major cation of intracellular fluid –Involved in osmotic pressure and acid-base balance Muscle activity

Salt NaCl Weight loss dehydration reduced performance delayed puberty

Functions K works with Na to maintain osmotic pressure K primary function is to maintain acid/base balance in the body Also involved in processes such as protein synthesis and glucose absorption

Functions Na as the extracellular component of an energy dependent Na “pump” Maintenance of osmotic pressure Acid/base balance by its separation from K Cl is involved in osmotic pressure and maintenance of acid/base balance

Sulfur Growth rate reduction –S containing amino acids reduced wool and feather growth

Iron Anemia Common in baby pigs

Copper Faded hair coat joint swelling no loss of winter coat anemia

Zinc Hoof softness wool slipping thickened skin parakeratosis in swine –Pigs 6 to 16 wks old –Deficiency of ZN or inadequate absorption of Zn due to excess Ca –Causes lesions on the skin

Manganese Skeletal abnormalities slipped tendons in poultry impaired reproduction testicular degeneration defective ovulation Excess Ca & P decreases absorption

Cobalt Anemia lowered growth rates reduced appetite Needed by rumen bacteria for growth & Vitamin B 12 synthesis

Iodine Low metabolism Goiter (enlargement of thyroid gland) hairless pigs at birth wool-less lambs at birth

Selenium White muscle disease cattle - muscular dystrophy –Muscle weakness or loss of muscle tissue stiff lamb disease –Vitamin E & Selenium deficiency –Become stiff, cannot walk or nurse properly and die or starvation liver necrosis –Destroying of the liver cells

Significant Mineral Interactions Cu, Mo and Zn –Excess Mo and Zn reduce Cu metabolism Ca and Zn –High Ca and phytate P can inhibit Zn absorption by tying up Ca, P and Mn –High Ca, P can inhibit Mn absorption

Significant Mineral Interactions Mg and K –Excess K reduces Mg absorption –Mg deficiency reduces K retention and can result in K deficiency as well Cu and Fe –Cu required for proper Fe metabolism

Significant Mineral Interactions Mg and Ca, P –Excess Mg can inhibit Ca, P absorption will replace these in bones P and Mg, Ca –Excesses in Mg and Ca can affect absorption –Ca:P ratio at 1.5 to 2:1

Significant Mineral Interactions Zn and Se –Used together improve immune response in combination with Vitamin E Cu, Mo and Fe –In ruminants these interact and can affect absorption of all three and S

Vitamins Organic compounds in foods distinct from proteins, CHO or fats Cannot be synthesized by animals and must be supplied by the diet If not supplied each results in a specific deficiency

Vitamins Fat Soluble –Vitamin A –Vitamin D2 and D3 –Vitamin E –Vitamin K, natural and synthetic

Vitamins Water Soluble Vitamins –Thiamine –Riboflavin –Niacin (Nicotinic Acid) –Pyridoxine –Pantothenic Acid

Vitamins Water Soluble cont. –Biotin –Choline –Folic Acid –Cobalamin –Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) –Inositol –PABA

Vitamins Fat Soluble only contain C, H and O Water Soluble also contain N, S, or Co

Fat Soluble Vitamins Are generally responsible for the regulation of metabolism of structural units May occur in plant tissues as provitamins Absorbed in intestinal tract only in the presence of fat All can be stored when fat is deposited and rate depends on intake

Fat Soluble Vitamins Only K can be synthesized by rumen microbes Excreted only in feces with fat

Water Soluble Vitamins No provitamins Responsible primarily in energy transfer Absorbed more easily and readily from SI Water soluble vitamins are not stored to a great extent Excretion occurs both in feces and urine Rumen microbes can synthesize all

Vitamin Deficiencies Vitamin A - night blindness, mucosal degenteration Vitamin D - osteoporosis Vitamin E - muscular dystrophy, liver necrosis Vitamin K - blood clotting disorders

Vitamin Deficiencies Thiamin (B1) - edema, enlarged heart Riboflavin (B2) - cataracts, lesions around lips and mouth Niacin - Ulcers, diarrhea, dermatitis Pantothenic acid - dermatitis, graying of hair, fetal death, goose stepping in pigs

Vitamin Deficiencies Pyridoxine (B6) - Reduced immune function, increased fat deposition Cobalamin (B12) - anemia, kidney damage Folic Acid - anemia cannot tell difference between this and B12 Biotin - soft hooves, loss of hair, birth defects

Vitamin Deficiencies Vitamin C - bone defects, bleeding gums, scurvy in humans Choline - fatty liver, bleeding kidneys, slipped tendon in poultry

Vitamin Functions in Rations Cobalamin given as intake stimulant A - mucosal lining degeneration can occur if not provided in large quantities E - immune system Biotin - hoof hardness Pantothenic Acid - reproduction Niacin - growth rates and milk production?