Journal of Animal Sciences and Livestock Production Open Access

The Importance of Dietary Supplementation of Animal Feeds with Trace Minerals

Phillippe Bugnon^* Department of Animal Sciences, University of Zurich, Switzerland
^*Correspondence: Phillippe Bugnon, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Zurich, Switzerland, Email:

Received: 30-Aug-2022, Manuscript No. ipjaslp-22-14892; Editor assigned: 01-Sep-2022, Pre QC No. ipjaslp-22-14892 (PQ); Reviewed: 15-Sep-2022, QC No. ipjaslp-22-14892; Revised: 20-Sep-2022, Manuscript No. ipjaslp-22-14892 (R) ; Published: 27-Sep-2022, DOI: 10.36648/2577-0594-6.5.23

INTRODUCTION

The term trace mineral is used to describe dietary supplements added in minute amounts to the diets of farm and companion animals. Their inclusion in animal diets is essential for a variety of reasons, including their involvement in structural, physiological, catalytic, and regulatory functions in animals. Diets might not provide enough of a particular mineral to satisfy animal needs, minerals in feed might not be in a biologically accessible form, or anti-nutritional factors might lower the overall proportion of a nutrient in a feed stuff that is usable for normal bodily functions. Furthermore, specific supplementation plans are essential to achieve the best results in contemporary animal production systems because mineral requirements change over the course of an animal’s life. Among the trace minerals frequently found. Four were chosen from among those found in dietary formulations for this review copper, iron, manganese, and zinc. In contemporary commercial production systems, marked deficiencies are unlikely to occur. However, marginal deficiencies may do so under certain circumstances, such as poor cattle feed or low feed intake. The duration of feeding deficient diets, previous mineral condition, and physiological state all affect the frequency and severity of mineral deficiencies.

Description

The pathologies linked to Cu, Fe, and Zn toxicity are frequently caused by lipids in cell membranes being damaged, which results in cell lysis. While sheep are much more prone to chronic Cu toxicity and supplementation is limited, pigs are highly tolerant to dietary Cu and are frequently supplemented in excess as a growth promoter. However, different cultivars are thought to be more tolerant due to genetic differences. Although intensive systems for rearing cattle are now commonplace, contrary to earlier beliefs, which held that cattle were relatively tolerant to Cu accumulation, Cu toxicity has been documented. Additionally, there are problems with the use of sacrificial Cu in an effort to prevent deficiencies brought on by high Mo levels in forages. In the rumen, the Mo and S bind to Cu to create thiomolybdates, which make the Cu unavailable. Cu toxicity incidents have previously resulted from this management strategy. Chronic Cu toxicity can result in icterus, an enlarged spleen, hepatic and renal necrosis, severe haemorrhagic gastroenteritis, and congestion of the liver, kidneys, and spleen in cattle. Using ruminants as an example, chronic high Fe intake has toxic effects on cattle and sheep, which include declines in important performance indicators like feed intake, weight gain, and feed efficiency. Numerous enzymes involved in various biochemical processes are activated by trace minerals, some of which are also essential components of enzymes, hormones, and vitamins. Lack of certain trace minerals reduces livestock productivity. Immunity and reproductive functions are directly correlated with the body’s trace mineral status, and these functions are likely to be influenced by Cu, Co, I, Se, Zn, and Mn. In addition to agro-climatic conditions, the geochemical makeup of the soil and the species of plants influence the trace mineral content in plants.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that some papers claim there are no differences between the relative bioavailability values of the inorganic and organic forms based on particular criteria, a closer look at the evidence reveals that the organic form frequently has advantages when additional parameters are considered, dietary antagonists are present, or stress-related conditions are present. Studies have categorically demonstrated the benefits of incorporating organic forms from an environmental and financial standpoint. Based on direct cost comparisons with ITM, OTM have been thought to be more expensive. However, the benefits of incorporating organic forms of minerals have been unequivocally demonstrated by the return on investment in numerous studies.