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Terminology of Animal Nutrition
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Comparative composition of plant and animal cells and tissues
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Learn Animal Nutrition and Feeding Practices with Rahul
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Minerals:

Macro-nutrient: Theses are required in large amount. These include Ca, Mg, K, Na,  Cl, S and P.

Micronutrient: These required only in small amount. These include cu, Co, Cr, Zn, Se, fe, Mn, I, etc.

 

a. Calcium (Ca)

Function:

√ Major component of bones and teeth and essential in blood coagulation, nerve and muscle function and milk and egg production.

Deficiency signs:

√ Retarded growth, deformed bones in young animals (rickets), and soft-shelled eggs and osteoporosis in older animals.

Sources:

√ Milk, oyster shells and limestone.

 

b. Sodium chloride

Considered together because of a close biochemical relationship and are provided as common salt (NaCl)

Function:

√ Required for the formation and retention, concentration and pH of body fluids, such as protoplasm, blood.

√ Important in the formation of digestive juices and functions in nerve and muscle activity.

Deficiency signs:

√ Poor condition and depressed appetite. Most farm produced feeds are deficient in these two minerals.

Sources:

√ Salt supplements and injectable products.

 

c. Phosphorus (P)

Function:

√ Essential for the formation of bones, teeth, and body fluids.

√ Required for metabolism, cell respiration and normal reproduction.

Deficiency signs:

√ Similar to calcium deficiency, lack of appetite, poor reproduction and unthrifty appearance.

Sources:

√ Dicalcium phosphate, bone meal, and low fluorine phosphates.

 

d. Potassium (K)

Function:

√ Retention and formation of body fluids, pH concentration of body fluid and rumen digestion.

Deficiency signs:

√ Nonspecific and unlikely under most conditions but may have decreased feed consumption and efficiency.

Sources:

√ Roughages.

√ Grains are less than roughage.

 

e. Manganese (Mn)

Function:

√ Fetal development, udder development, milk production and skeleton development.

Deficiency signs:

√ Abortions, reduced fertility, deformed young and poor growth.

Sources: Most use trace mineralized salt.

 

f. Copper (Cu)

Function:

√ Should be present in animal tissues for iron to be properly utilized, hemoglobin formation and synthesis of keratin for fair and wool growth.

Deficiency signs:

√ Poor pigmentation of feathers, stringy wool, sway back lambs, lack of muscle coordination and anemia.

√ De-pigmentation classically occurs as grey/brown discoloration of the coat especially around the ear margins and eyes.

Sources:

√ Forages and copper salts.

 

g. Iron (Fe):

Function:

√ Essential for the function of every organ and tissue of the body (Hemoglobin).

Deficiency signs:

√ Seldom occurs in older animals, nutritional anemia, labored breathing and pale eyelids, ears and nose.

Sources:

√ Forages and copper or trace mineral salts.

 

h. Cobalt (Co):

Function:

√ Required as a nutrient for the microorganisms in ruminants and thereby aids in rumen synthesis of Vitamin B12.

√ Because swine cannot manufacture B12 from cobalt, the diets are supplemental with vitamin B12 instead.

Deficiency signs:

√ Lack of appetite, loss of weight, rough hair coat, anemia, decreased milk and wool production and death in extreme cases.

Sources:

√ Legume forages and salt containing cobalt.

 

i. Magnesium (Mg)

Function:

√ Similar to calcium and phosphorus.

Deficiency signs:

√ Animals are irritable, their heart beat is irregular and there is severe kidney damage.

Sources:

√ Mineral supplements and ordinary feeds