MACRO AND MICRO MINERALS IN MODULATING IMMUNITY, PRODUCTION AND REPRODUCTION PERFORMANCE OF DAIRY ANIMALS

Abstract

Minerals are important for production, reproductionand general health of dairy animals. Minerals also involved in protein biosynthesis, defence mechanism, haematopoiesis, metabolism regulation and functioning of hormones and enzymes. Macro minerals include Ca, P, Cl, Na, S and Mg whereas microelements include Zn, Mn, Cr, I, Mb, Co, Cu and Se.  Today animals diet mainly roughages, greens, concentrate and commercial feeds are deficient in essential minerals so adequate mineral supplementation is required. Micro minerals have important role in oxidative metabolism, energy metabolism and immune function. Dairy animals require good quality feed with organic minerals. Ogranic minerals have higher bioavailability resulted in better health, improved production, better immune response. Ca and P are main part of skeleton, teeth and small amount is circulated in blood & body fluid.Zn is an important mineral involved in energy metabolism, protein synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, cell division and nucleic acid metabolism etc. Cu involves in red blood cell maturation, collagen synthesis, immune function, ATP production, hormone formation, iron absorption and metabolism etc. Cois an essential trace-mineral required for synthesis of Vitamin B12.  Cow’s milk contains approximately 0.5 µg/L vitamin B12 whereas colostrums contains 4 to 10 times more than milk.Vitamin B12 is an essential co factor for function of two enzymes- Methionine synthase and Methylmalonyl–CoA mutase. In ruminants, Methylmalonyl–CoA mutase is involved in metabolism of propionic acid which is a energy source for ruminants. Thyroid hormone is important for metabolism, normal growth and development, skeleton growth, thermogenesis, oxidation, reproduction and cardiovascular health. Selenium functions as an important trace mineral, act as protective and antioxidant by removing free redicals. Iron is an important part of various enzymes such as catalase, peroxidise and cytochrome oxidase.  So we can see that minerals plays many functions in the dairy animals body. A dairy owner have adequate knowledge about minerals requirements, metabolic functions and mineral interactions. Over feeding or under feeding directly affects animal health. Adoption of standard scientific feeding is necessary for animal health and economic benefit.