355 Mineral Metabolism

This presentation will highlight historic discoveries in mineral metabolism in ruminants. At least 15 minerals can be classified as essential based on their involvement in one or more metabolic functions in mammals. Deficiencies of all essential minerals have occurred naturally or have been induced experimentally in ruminants. Cobalt was shown to be essential for ruminants in 1935 based on its ability to correct naturally occurring deficiency signs in Australia. This discovery occurred 13 years before cobalt was shown to a component of vitamin B12. Low serum magnesium concentrations also were associated with grass tetany in cattle before magnesium was found to be essential for the rat in 1931. The value of supplemental salt for cattle was demonstrated in the 1800’s and a salt deficiency was experimentally induced in dairy cows in 1905. Over 50 years later sodium was identified as the mineral primarily responsible for salt deficiency. Naturally occurring deficiencies of phosphorus and copper were observed in grazing ruminants shortly after they were reported to be essential for rats. Copper toxicosis also became recognized as a practical problem, especially in some breeds of sheep. Selenium was shown to prevent white muscle disease in 1958. Because of its known toxicity and lack of a specific metabolic function, it was not until 1979 that Food and Drug Administration approved the addition of 0.1 mg Se/kg DM (later increased to 0.3 mg/kg) from inorganic sources to ruminant diets. This approval occurred after the identification of glutathione peroxidase as a selenium metalloenzyme in 1972. In 2009, the Food and Drug Administration approved the use of chromium propionate as a source of supplemental chromium for cattle at levels up to 0.5 mg Cr/kg DM. The approval of chromium propionate was based on its safety and ability to enhance insulin sensitivity in cattle.