5.9: Microminerals
- Page ID
- 181605
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Microminerals, or trace minerals (<0.01% of diet), are required by animals in small amounts but are vital for many physiological processes. They play key roles in enzyme function, hormone production, immune response, and antioxidant defense. Important microminerals include iron, copper, zinc, manganese, iodine, selenium, and cobalt. Even slight deficiencies or imbalances can impair growth, reproduction, and overall health.
Iron is primarily found in hemoglobin and myoglobin. Deficiency causes hypochromic, microcytic anemia. Piglet anemia is common due to low milk iron, rapid growth, and limited placental transfer; prophylactic iron dextran injection is standard practice.
Copper is required for iron metabolism, collagen cross-linking, melanin synthesis, and antioxidant defense. Deficiency causes anemia, skeletal abnormalities, cardiovascular lesions (aortic rupture), depigmentation, and neurological disorders (swayback in lambs). Sheep are particularly susceptible to copper toxicity due to inefficient biliary excretion.
Zinc is a cofactor or structural component of over 300 enzymes involved in nucleic acid and protein synthesis, immunity, and reproduction. High concentrations occur in hair, wool, skin, and feathers. Deficiency causes parakeratosis (dermatitis with thick, scaly skin lesions), poor growth, impaired immunity, and reproductive dysfunction.
Selenium is a key component of selenoproteins, which protect cells from oxidative damage, and of enzymes that activate thyroid hormones. It works closely with vitamin E as an antioxidant. Deficiency can cause white muscle disease in livestock, exudative diathesis in poultry, and reproductive issues. However, too much selenium is toxic—chronic excess (alkali disease) leads to hoof and hair damage, while acute toxicity (blind staggers) causes nervous system problems.
Iodine is exclusively required as a component of thyroid hormones, which regulate basal metabolic rate and energy metabolism. Deficiency causes hypothyroidism—reduced growth, reproductive failure, hair loss—and goiter (thyroid gland enlargement). Marine sources and iodized salt provide supplementation.
Cobalt functions solely as a component of vitamin B₁₂ (cobalamin). Ruminants require dietary cobalt for microbial synthesis of B₁₂ in the rumen; monogastrics require preformed B₁₂. Deficiency in ruminants impairs short-chain fatty acid metabolism, causing anorexia, emaciation, anemia, and fatty liver.
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