Mineral nutrition and reproductive performance of the dairy animals: a review

Animals require minerals, which act as structural components of organs and tissues, as cofactors or activators in enzyme and hormone systems, as constituents of body fluids and tissues, and as regulators of cell replication and differentiation. Mineral deficiencies, imbalances and toxicity severely inhibit livestock production in the third world countries and are often of more significance compared to the infectious diseases. Deficiencies of certain mineral elements may cause reproductive disorders as minerals play an important role in health and reproduction of the livestock. Infertility and reproductive disorders has emerged as an,important problem in our livestock population. Research reported on reproduction and health and clinical records have indicated increasing occurrences of trace mineral deficiencies. Health and production of livestock is thus greatly influenced by optimal level of these mineral elements in the body. If there is imbalance between these minerals either due to deficiency or interaction among themselves, the animal suffers from poor health, immunity and its production is affected. Production is also affected by poor reproductive health resulting from these mineral elements deficiency. Nutrition plays an important role in heifer development, and a variety of nutrients are involved in proper growth and reproductive maturation.