Minerals & vitamins Flashcards
what function is minerals & vitamins?
minerals -> regulatory & structural
vitamins -> regulatory
what are minerals?
- inorganic compounds that are not synthesized by the body
- needed in very small quantities
- many are toxic, even at a low level intake
- NOT changed by metabolism & digestion
- IMPORTANT: biochemical process & formation of cells/tissues
minerals in feed
- found in ALL feedstuff
- more reliably found in animal products
- sometimes substances in foods decrease the absorption of minerals:
- oxalate (found in spinach, beets, celery, pecans,
peanuts, teas, cocoa) ->can bind to calcium
and form an insoluble complex - phytate (a form of phosphorus in plants)
- oxalate (found in spinach, beets, celery, pecans,
what is the total body weight percent?
4% of minerals
what are the general functions of minerals?
- involved in body structure components of hormones, vitamins, or other compounds
- Ca, P, Mg
- 99% of Ca found in bones & teeth
- involved in acid-base & water balance
- Na, P, K, Cl
- maintenance of pH 7.35-7.40
what are minerals components or activators of…
- enzymes
- compounds involved in biochemical reactions
examples of mineral interactions…
- excess of phosphorous impairs calcium absorption
- excess manganese can induce iron deficiency
anatogonism
decreased availability of nutrient to a plant due to the action of another nutrient
stimulation
high level of nutrients increases the demand by the plant for another nutrient
mineral deficiencies & excesses
- most minerals have an optimal range
- BELOW leads to the deficiency symptoms
- ABOVE leads to toxicity symptoms
- mineral content of the soil dictates mineral status for plants
macro-minerals
major minerals:
- Ca, P, K, Cl, Mg, Na, S
functions:
- structural
- nerve
- electrolytes
- osmotic balance
included as -> % in diet
present in body tissues of a concentration of >50 mg/kg
micro-minerals
micro or a trace of minerals:
- Co, Cu, I, Fe, Mn, Zn, Se, Mo, etc…
functions:
- enzyme co-factor or component
included as -> ppm or ppb
present in body tissues at concentrations <50 mg/kg
do animals have different absorption of minerals?
yes!
example: nocturnal animals have a different mineral absorption for vitamin D
calcium
- most abundant mineral in the body
- calcium weight:
- infant-> 400mg/kg
- adult -> 950mg/kg
- functions:
- bone matrix
- nerve function
- blood clotting
- muscle contraction
- cellular metabolism
physiological functions of calcium
OBVIOUS
- skeletal growth & mineralization
LESS OBVIOUS
- muscle contraction (heart)
- blood coagulation
- neuromuscular transmission
intracellular calcium
- muscle contraction
- hormone secretion
- glycogen metabolism
- cell division
extracellular calcium
- maintain I/C calcium
- bone mineralization
- blood coagulation
- plasma membrane potential
what is bone development? what cells are contributed?
- growing and breaking down bone growth
- osteoblasts: form new bone cells
- osteoclasts: break down bone cells
- osteocytes: mature bone cells
2 types of hypocalcemia conditions
- rickets
- children / growing animals
- osteomalacia
- adult human/animals
- reduced growth or production rate
- egg-shell strength
- milk fever (mostly cows)
- in lactating animals
what are 2 hormones for calcium homeostasis?
major roles in calcium homeostasis in mammals!
- calcitonin
secreted by the thyroid gland and stimulates Ca2+ in the bones. secretion by the kidneys = lowering blood Ca2+ levels - PTH (parathyroid hormone)
secreted by parathyroid glands -> has opposite effects on the bones. kidneys = raises Ca2+ levels
calcium regulation
- too low -> death
- too high -> death
regulated by:
- vitamin D3 (kidney)
- calcitonin
- parathyroid hormone
rickets
- in children & growing animals
- Defective mineralization in both bone and cartilage of epiphyseal growth plate
- Soft (spongy, poorly mineralized) bones
- Bowing bones
- Due to low Vitamin D
- Lack of calcium
osteocalcemia
- adult rickets
- disorder found in mature adult bones, in which mineralization of new osteoid bone is inadequate or delayed
- brittle bones
- due to low vitamin D
- lack of calcium
osteoporosis
- bone resorption»_space; bone deposition
(decrease in bone density) - lack of estrogen
- lack of exercise
- inadequate Ca & P
- abnormal vit. D metabolism
- loss of muscles
- increase risk for fracture
osteoarthritis
- “arthritis” -> pain
- chronic inflammation of the cartilage
- normal age changes due to decreased blood supply
- trauma
what fluid helps reduce the friction between the bone joints?
synovial fluid
hypocalcemia in animals
- metabolic disease at/after parturition -> dairy cows
- decrease in serum Ca levels
- symptoms:
- lack of appetite
- staggers or weaves when walking
- lies down in a characteristic pose (head retraction)
- solution:
- I/V calcium solutions
- Ca2+ MUST be injected at slow rate
what is another compound similar to calcium? what are its functions?
phosphorous
- component of bones/teeth
- 80% in bone
- 20% in soft tissue
- important to energy metabolism
- ATP, ADP, AMP - acid-base balance
- regulation of metabolism
phosphorus deficiency
similar to calcium deficiency
- pica (depraved appetite): chewing of wood fences, bones, soil
- low fertility & poor milk production or growth
magnesium
- Functions
Bone formation
* ~60% in bone
Enzyme activation
* Carbohydrate, lipid metabolism
* Urea cycle
Binds mRNA to ribosomes
Associated with ATP metabolism
magnesium deficiency
Grass Tetany
Hypomagnesemia in ruminants
* Usually following lush spring growth
* Fertilizing with K or N make it worse
Symptoms: muscular twitching, collapse,
convulsion
iodine deficiency
“Goiter” enlarged thyroid gland
Plants have “goitrogens” (goiter creating),
block use of iodine
Reduced growth
Impaired reproduction- dead, weak or
hairless young
vitamins
- Essential organic compounds required in
very small amounts (micrograms to
milligrams) involved in fundamental
functions of the body
Unrelated chemically - mostly from outside of the body
functions of vitamins
- Not metabolic fuels (like glucose or fatty acids) or structural nutrients (like amino acids)
Function strictly as individual units
Not connected like molecules of glucose, fatty
acids and amino acids
Regulators (catalysts) of reactions, some of
which are involved in energy metabolism
what are the “specific” functions of vitamins?
Specific functions include:
Nurture growth; reproduction; maintain life
Prevent deficiency diseases
Help the enzymes that release energy from
carbohydrates, lipids and proteins
DO NOT PROVIDE ENERGY
synthesis of vitamins
- All vitamins are metabolically essential but not all
required in the diet - Vitamins cannot be synthesized by the body in
adequate amounts to meet needs - bacterial synthesis
- most vitamins can be synthesized by precursors
- most mammals can synthesize vit. C (NOT primates or guinea pigs)
provitamins
Some function as vitamins after
undergoing a chemical change
example:
B-carotene -> vit.A
fat-soluble vitamins
vitamins A, D, E, & K
- dissolve in lipids and can be stored until needed
- 40-90% absorption efficiency
- Liver either stores the vitamin or repackages it for
delivery to other cells
- excess fat-soluble vitamins accumulate in liver
and adipose tissue
water-soluble vitamins
vitamins B & C
- Dissolve in water, absorbed into the bloodstream
immediately. Can not be stored, so must supply regularly - stored across the small intestine
- typically not stored: instead, the kidney filters excess into
urine - absorbed directly into blood
how animals obtain vitamins?
- complex ruminants synthesize vitamins in the rumen
- other animals via feed:
Vit A = Green forages and corn
Vit D = Sun-cured forages
Vit E = Whole grain, green forage, high quality hay
Vit K = Green leafy forage, fish meal
Vit C = Supplemented in feed ration
forms of vit. D
D2- present in plants
D3- present in skin of animals
vitamin D deficiency
Young animals
Rickets
* Failure of bones to grow properly
* Results in “bowed” legs or knock-knees, outward
bowed chest and knobs on ribs
Older animals
Osteomalacia: Adult form of rickets
* Softening of bones, bending of spine, and
bowing of legs
Osteoporosis (porous bones):
* Vitamin D plays a major role along with calcium
* Loss of vitamin D activity with advancing age
* Associated with fractures
very serious for geriatrics
Poultry
Decreased egg production & hatchability
Thin-shelled eggs
