Role of Essential Mineral Elements in Poultry

Essential major minerals Ca, P, K, Na, Cl, Mg Essential trace minerals Fe, I, Cu, Mn, Se, Zn

Mineral Relationships

Excess Mg salt ---- loss of Ca P ----- requirement of Mn K ----- Na elimination Ca, Mg, Na & K ---- Basic S, P & Cl ------ Acidic

Acid Base Balance

Calcium and Phosphorus

Major Elements

Calcium is essential for Bone & Egg shell formation Electrolytes in body fluids Clotting of blood Regulation of cellular metabolism Muscle contractions Normal beating of the heart, Na +K Phosphorus is essential for Purine nucleotides Phosphorylation, transfer or conservation of energy Acid base balance Metabolism of carbohydrates and fats Deficiency Rickets----thinning of bones, spontaneous fractures In laying hens, reduced egg production, thinning of egg shell Excess of Ca---------Visceral gout, nephrosis

Magnesium
major elements

Carbohydrate metabolism Activation of enzymes, phosphorylation Bone formation-----2/3 of Mg Egg shell-----0.4% Deficiency Slow growth Abnormalities in bones Excess Decreased egg size Egg shell thinning Diarrhea (act as laxative)

Sodium and Chlorine

major elements

Maintenance of osmotic pressure Water and acid base balance Deficiency Widespread disturbances in cellular function & water distribution Retarded growth Reduced egg production Dehydration Neuromuscular dysfunction Excess salt Toxic to chicken -- lethal dose is 4g/Kg B.W. Pronounced muscular weakness Right ventricular failure in broilers Ascites may be present.

Potassium
major element

Membrane potential - Cellular fluid balance Biochemical reaction Heart activity Weak extremities Poor intestinal tone Decreased egg production Egg shell thinning

Deficiency

Selenium and Zinc

trace elements

Se
Development and maintenance of the immune response Part of antioxidant enzymes Deficiency Poor growth and feathering, impaired fat digestion, pancreatic atrophy Reduced activity of Se dependent glutathione peroxidase enzyme Impaired T-cell activity and humoral immunity

Zn
Component of carbonic anhydrase Component of Thymulin-----cell mediated immunity Deficiency Increased hematocrit Marked deficiency in lymphocyte response

Iodine and Manganese

trace elements

I
Thyroid gland functioning (thyroxine) Deficiency Enlarged thyroid gland Lower body weight Mortality in late incubation Delayed hatching time Reduced embryo size

Mn

Activator of several enzymes Bone and eggshell formation Deficiency Retarded growth Deformity of bone growth (Chondrodystrophy) Low hatchability

Iron and Copper

trace elements

Fe
Component of Hemoglobin, cytochrome Enzymes: catalase, peroxidase, tyrosinase, phenylalanin hydroxylase, proline hydroxylase Deficiency Hypochromic-microcytic anemia Reduced hatchabilty Decreased synthesis of niacin

Cu

Formation of hemoglobin Deficiency Impaired feather pigmentation Anemia Decreased cross linking structure Misshapen egg, wrinkled egg shell Excess Erosion in gizzard Hemorrhages under koilin layer