Minerals

The importance of minerals in the feeding of farm animals and poultry, their quantitative and qualitative composition, as well as the balance between individual substances plays a huge role. This is due to the fact that these components are present as the main components of the cells of any living organism. That is why the daily menu of animals must necessarily include such important and necessary components as:

  • phosphorus;
  • calcium;
  • potassium and sodium;
  • magnesium,
  • chlorine;
  • sulfur.

The lack of these elements in young animals leads to growth disorders, calls into question the very possibility of the development of the young organism. The deficiency of mineral components in the body of a female carrying a cub can cause spontaneous abortion, the birth of dead or non-viable offspring. Failure to comply with the norms of the content of macroelements in the diet of adult animals leads to a decrease in productivity, metabolic disorders, a decrease in the body's resistance, and the development of various diseases.

 

The main role in the transformation of phosphorus in the animal body is played by the liver and gallbladder. That is why, with pathologies of the liver and gallbladder, problems with the absorption of phosphorus may arise. With insufficient intake of phosphorus in the body or problems with its absorption, weakness, decreased appetite, bone tissue pathologies, problems with the absorption of food are noted.

 

The majority of calcium is bound in the body's hard structures - bones and teeth. It is calcium in combination with the appropriate proteins that gives these structures strength.

In addition to bone tissue, calcium is found in almost all cells in the form of dissolved salts.

Calcium participates in metabolic processes, being a part of enzymes, ensures the transmission of impulses in muscle tissue, affects blood clotting. With a lack of calcium in the diet of young animals, rickets develops, and in adult animals, osteomalacia. Signs of a lack of a macroelement in the animal's body are loss of appetite, general weakness, decreased muscle tone, curvature of the limbs, and difficulty walking. It is worth noting that both calcium and phosphorus, if insufficiently present in the diet of animals, are easily washed out of their main depot. This is especially true for pregnant females.

Two macroelements inextricably linked to each other are found in any living organism in the form of salts and constantly interact. Continuous exchange between sodium and potassium ions ensures the maintenance of normal osmotic pressure. These macroelements in their interaction provide stabilization of the necessary osmotic pressure in the blood and cells, transmission of nerve impulses and muscle contraction, maintenance of water-salt balance, and influence on acid-base balance. At the same time, potassium and sodium are biological antagonists - an increase in the concentration of one of the elements leads to a decrease in the amount of the other.

 

Magnesium affects the normal functioning of the central and peripheral nervous system. In addition, it has a stimulating effect on the muscles of the digestive tract and a vasodilator effect. The metabolism of magnesium in the body is closely related to potassium and is inversely proportional to the latter. Magnesium deficiency and excess have similar symptoms and are manifested by nervous phenomena - weakness, cramps, paresis.

 

Chlorine is an important participant in maintaining water-salt metabolism, as well as in creating the necessary osmotic pressure in cells. The element is involved in the functioning of the nervous system and is part of most of the active substances produced by the body.

Chlorine in the stomach produces gastric juice. It is on the creation of hydrochloric acid, which is the basis of gastric juice, that up to 20% of all chlorine contained in the animal's body is spent.

With insufficient intake of chlorine with food, digestive problems are observed: decreased appetite, insufficient digestion of food. As a result, gastrointestinal disorders develop, growth and milk yield decrease, and water-salt metabolism is disturbed.

Sulfur is part of the structure of protein components such as amino acids. It plays a major role in providing energy to bacteria, is an integral part of the gastrointestinal tract of animals, is a part of insulin and some other hormones, participates in the synthesis of bile, B vitamins, is a part of erythrocytes. With the participation of sulfur in the body, detoxification processes of metabolic products, in particular phenols, occur. In the body of animals, the largest amount of sulfur is concentrated in the horns, wool, and epidermis.

Sufficient content of macronutrients in the diet, clear observance of the balance between the intake of individual substances is the key to normal growth and development of animals, which contributes to high resistance of the body and achievement of maximum productivity, laid down genetically.

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