Minerals are essential elements in animal nutrition as they fulfill multiple functions in the physiology of all systems.

What are minerals in animal nutrition?

Minerals are chemical elements of growing importance thanks to studies that have revealed their functions. Previously they were considered minor dietary components. However, it is now recognized that they are fundamental for the correct functioning of the organism. These elements are present in all body cells to fulfill different metabolic functions.

Minerals in animal nutrition are obtained through the feed. For this reason, a correct balance of the percentage of macro and microminerals that each animal requires must be made.

In ruminants, minerals are obtained through forages and feed. The number of minerals present in these forages is variable, so they should be supplemented according to this mineral composition. The type of pasture and soil change the composition of minerals supplied in the diet.

In poultry and swine, minerals are mainly obtained in the feed as it constitutes their main source of food. This feed must be of high quality to ensure a correct balance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and minerals. In addition, salts are available to supplement the diet to ensure that poultry and swine ingest the recommended amounts of minerals.

Importance of macrominerals

Macrominerals are the group of mineral elements most needed by animals in their diet to fulfill a myriad of physiological functions.  Deficiencies of these elements cause various pathologies or dysfunctions that must be promptly corrected. Moreover, depending on the animal species (poultry, swine, or ruminant), the signs and effects may vary.

Calcium

It is the most abundant macromineral in the body of animals since it constitutes the essential material to form structures such as bones and teeth. In addition, it fulfills cellular functions of great importance in multiple organs such as the heart, intestine, and muscles.

Calcium deficiency is characterized by decalcification and rickets in animals, predisposing them to bone weakness, fractures and in laying hens it causes a decrease in laying.

Phosphorus

Phosphorus is a macromineral commonly associated with calcium since they are found together in bone structures. In addition, phosphorus is involved in many metabolic processes in animals.

Phosphorus deficiency is associated with bone problems, decreased growth and appetite, and reduced productive performance.

Potassium

Potassium is the third most important macromineral in animals and is the most abundant cation (positively charged ion) at the intracellular level. It has important functions at the cellular level related to energy generation.

Potassium deficiency is associated with muscle problems such as weakness or tetany, as well as changes in feed intake habits (pica).

Magnesium

Magnesium is a macromineral closely related to calcium and phosphorus. For this reason, about 70% of magnesium is in bone structures and the rest in soft tissues. Magnesium plays an important role in energy generation.

Magnesium deficiency can cause acute neuromuscular problems, characterized by incoordination or convulsions.

Sulfur

Sulfur is a macromineral whose importance lies on the formation of amino acids and some vitamins. Proteins are indispensable molecules for life made up of amino acids and are the beginning of animal production. In pigs, broilers, and meat ruminants, protein is the basis for muscle formation; in hens, it is fundamental for egg formation.

Sulfur deficiency in the diet leads to disturbances in protein formation. Therefore, production performance is significantly affected in cases of deficiency.

Sodium/Chlorine

Sodium/chlorine (NaCl) can be found in common or cooking salt. These minerals regulate the amount of water at the cellular and body level and are therefore involved in almost all organic processes.

In animal nutrition, it is constantly supplemented, and its deficiency is not common. However, the excess is a frequent problem since it generates salt intoxication, especially in pigs and poultry. However, ruminants can also be affected.

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Microminerals in animal nutrition

Microminerals are elements that are found in smaller quantities compared to macrominerals. However, they also fulfill many functions in the physiology of animals.

The functions of microminerals are the same for animals as they constitute basic processes for animal life.

Copper

Copper is a micromineral that makes up several enzymes involved in oxidation-reduction processes such as cytochrome oxidase or superoxide dismutase. These enzymes regulate redox processes in tissues with a high metabolic rate such as the liver. In addition, it also plays a fundamental role in the functioning of blood cells, skin pigmentation, and the formation of bones and nerves.

Cobalt

Cobalt is a component of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin), which is involved in the formation of red blood cells and nerve cell functions.

In ruminants, deficiency is rare since the bacteria present in the rumen produce vitamin B12. In swine, something similar occurs, but with bacteria located at the intestinal level.

Iodine

Iodine is the micromineral that makes up the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones play an essential role in the development and metabolism of animals as they regulate these processes.

Iodine deficiency causes an increase in the size of the gland (goiter). At the functional level, most metabolic processes in animals are altered.

Iron

Iron has functions related to respiration as it constitutes blood molecules that transport respiratory gases. It also makes up an important number of enzymes such as catalases, oxidases, dehydrogenases, among others.

Iron deficiency in animal nutrition can be related to blood disorders that hinder all body processes, causing anemia, weakness, lower productive performance.

Selenium

Selenium is a component of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase that protects tissues and membranes against oxidative stress. In addition, selenium is an important micromineral in vitamin E absorption and function.

Zinc

Zinc is a micromineral that makes up many enzymes as a cofactor. Therefore, it participates in metabolic processes related to lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins.

Zinc deficiency has been associated with imbalances of the immune system and the reproductive system in male ruminants.

Manganese

Manganese is a micromineral that participates in the functioning of enzymes related to the Krebs cycle, as well as in the formation of bone and blood cells, carbohydrate metabolism.

Chromium

Chromium is part of the glucose tolerance factor (GTF) and is a cofactor of the hormone insulin. This hormone works in carbohydrate metabolism through the transport of glucose, a basic energy-generating molecule at the cellular level.

Recommendations for mineral supplementation

Minerals are components of the diet that should be administered in a controlled, periodic, and careful manner. Mineral requirements may vary by animal species, as well as breed, diet, region, and type of production.

• Use salt sources properly designed for each animal species. Industrial or cooking salt should not be used.
• The mineral supplement should be palatable for the animals and be properly balanced according to the requirements.
• The presentation of the minerals should be according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Wet, compacted or contaminated product should be avoided.
• Mineral supplementation can be done according to soil and diet analysis to adjust to the needs, as well as to establish a reasonable price. This will avoid excess minerals in the diet that can be toxic.
• In animal nutrition, the administration of minerals should be done rigorously according to the stage of production and characteristics of the flock, adjusting constantly.
• The balance of minerals is fundamental since the excess of some of them causes the inability to absorb others or block their functionality.

Strategies to improve mineral absorption in poultry

Minerals administered in the diet must be properly absorbed in the digestive tract f or animals. Therefore, among the strategies to improve mineral absorption, there is Alquernat Magacal. This Biovet S.A. product is composed of pronutrients of botanical origin that increase calcium absorption at the intestinal level. In this reg ard, it is an excellent strategy for laying poultry to obtain the calcium levels required for eggshell formation. In addition, it contributes to preventing cage fatigue syndrome, bone decalcification, fractures, or egg quality defects.

Alquernat Magacal acts on the cells of the intestinal mucosa of poultry called enterocytes, favoring calcium absorption at the intracellular level. The beneficial effects of this natural product have been demonstrated in in vitro trials in 2016 and field trials in 2021. The results shown that laying hens supplemented with Alquernat Magacal presented higher shell thickness (+1%) and shell percentage (+2.7%), related to a lower percentage of broken eggs. In addition, the product increased the amount of two important minerals such as calcium and phosphorus in the serum of the poultry in the study.

Alquernat Magacal is a product developed by Biovet S.A. In addition, the company also offers the technical service Global Vet’s Lab, which offers analysis and formulation of animal diets, allowing the optimization of feed composition to meet the requirements of minerals and other nutrients according to the commercial line, age, and productive stage.

CONCLUSIONS

Minerals constitute an important item in the animal nutrition of poultry, swine, and ruminants. These chemical elements constitute a great number of biochemical processes in all animals.

Macrominerals are those that are present in higher proportions at the body level and include calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sulfur, and sodium/chlorine. Microminerals, on the other hand, are in smaller proportions, but also have fundamental functions in animals.

These minerals can present deficiencies in animal nutrition in the animal sheds and cause several of signs and organic disorders. Therefore, some recommendations should be considered at the time of mineral supplementation.