Micromineral Functions, Deficiency Diseases, and Interrelationships
Micromineral Functions, Deficiency Diseases, and Interrelationships
Micromineral | Requirement (mg/kg dry matter) | Major Biological Function | Deficiency Disease or Clinical Signs | Interrelationships or Toxicity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cobalt (Co) | 0.1–0.2 | Component of vitamin B12 (ruminants only) | Megaloblastic anemia; enzootic marasmus ( ketosis Ketosis in Cattle Ketosis is an elevated concentration of ketone bodies (acetone, acetoacetate, beta-hydroxybutyrate) in all body fluids. Key clinical signs of ketosis are vague but include anorexia, decreased... read more | Cobalt needs to be supplied to rumen microbes; toxicosis unlikely |
Copper (Cu) | 10–15 | Hemoglobin synthesis; bone formation; pigmentation; myelin formation; oxidation-reduction reactions; immune function | Achromotrichia; neonatal ataxia (swayback); infertility; hypochromic-microcytic anemia; profuse diarrhea; immune failure | High iron, zinc, and selenium reduce availability; excess molybdenum and sulfur inhibit utilization and storage in ruminants; toxicity variable in species, results in hemolytic crisis |
Iodine (I) | 0.5–1.0 | Thyroxine formation | Goiter; stillbirths, infertility; malformations, hairless neonates; immune failure | Dietary goitrogens inhibit function; high intakes reduce uptake efficiency; toxic intake results in goiter, fetal malformations |
Iron (Fe) | 50–100 | Cellular respiration, oxygen transport | Hypochromic-microcytic anemia; easily fatigued | High calcium may decrease absorption; copper status influences metabolism; excessive amounts are pro-oxidants; interferes with copper metabolism |
Manganese (Mn) | 20–40 | Bone formation; activator of enzymes with carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism | Crooked calf disease; impaired fertility; poor growth; impaired immune function | Excess calcium and phosphorus decrease availability; toxicosis unlikely; may interfere with other minerals |
Selenium (Se) | 0.3 | Antioxidant—cellular iodine function, immune function | White muscle disease Nutritional Myodegeneration Young Boer goat kid with white muscle disease. The patient can move its legs normally but is too weak to stand. CK and AST concentrations were elevated on serum biochemical evaluation. The goat... read more | Sulfate, acid soil conditions interferes with selenium availability; maximum tolerable level 2 mg/g in nonruminants— alkali disease of horses (chronic toxicosis); acute toxicosis from parenteral products— respiratory collapse |
Zinc (Zn) | 30–60 | Component of >90 enzymes influencing all aspects of metabolism immune function | Anorexia; parakeratosis; poor skin and hair formation; male infertility; impaired immune function | High calcium, phytates or oxalates bind zinc; high zinc interferes with copper metabolism |
