“ROLE OF TRACE MINERALS IN REPRODUCTION”

By:Umesh Sontakke

DCN DivisionNDRI, Karnal

Seminaron

Introduction

Reproduction is the most important production parameter in attaining profitability in a commercial cattle dairy farm.

Adequate mineral intake & absorption is required for a variety of metabolic functions including immune response to pathogenic challenge, reproduction & growth.

Subclinical or marginal deficiencies may be a larger problem than acute mineral deficiency in livestock.

Role of Minerals for Growth , Health and Reproduction

MineralZinc

CopperManganese

Iron

Enzyme cofactorsHormones

Vit.metalloenzymes

CarbohydrateProtein,fat, metabolism

Epithelial integrity,Reproduction,

Immune response,Oxygen transport,Cell proliferation,Bone development,

Cell protection,Haemoglobin formation

Limited performance,Reproductive problemsHoof & udder health

Susceptible to infection

Slow wound healing

Hair,skin,featheringproblem Triggering Essential for

Disfunction

Effects of Decline in Mineral Status on Animal Performance

Time

Mineral Status

(Wiske et al.,1990)

Minerals related to reproduction

Zinc (Zn)

Essential for proper sexual maturity, reproductive capacity in males & all reproductive events, more specifically with onset of estrus in female.

It is essential for cell proliferation and cell division

It is component of thymosin a hormone produced by thymic cells which regulate cell mediated immunity

Its deficiency alters prostaglandin synthesis which may affect luteal formation

(Cousin et al., 2000)

65.37Zn30

Zn

Dietary ZnDietary carotene

Retinal Zn++ ADHRetinol

Vitamin A ester(Liver )

1.Carbonic anhydrase2.Alcohal dehydrogenase3.Lactic dehydrogenase4.Superoxide dismutase 5.Alkaline phosphatase

Zn metallo enzymes

Thimidine kinase(DNA synthesis)

Growth

Lysosomal stability

•Maintenance and repair of the uterine epithelium• for proper sexual maturity, reproductive capacity

Reproduction

Retina Rhodopsin Opsin light Retinal Retinal (cis) (trans)

Zn++ADH Zn++ADH

Retinol Retinol (cis) (trans)

vision

(Chhabra et al., 1982)

Zinc deficiency

Female: Decreased fertility and abnormal reproductive events in cow

(Kumar et.al; 2003)

Reduce GnRH secretion that eventually leads to the arrest of ovulation

(Kaswan et al.,1995)

In male: Poor semen quality, reduced testicular size and libido

(Mass et.al; 1987)

Zinc play important role in the control of testosterone synthesis or secretion

(Prasad et. al, 1985)

(Kerr et al, 1992)

Malformed twins delivered by Zn deficient ewe

(Apgar et al.,2002)

Mummified twins delivered by Zn deficient ewe

Copper (Cu)

Essential element in enzymes important in immune competence, SOD and CP

(Prohaska,1990)

SOD and CP acts as antioxidants and protect the cells from free

radicals. (Ward et al,1993)

Supplementation of copper either through copper sulphate or chelated copper enhanced the activity of SOD and CP.

High dietary concentration of Mo, S and Fe reduce Cu status in ruminants. (Suttle et al.,1991)

63.55Cu29

Copper

Metalloenzyme Cytochrome oxidase, Lysyl oxidase, SOD,

Tyrosinase

CNS

Reproduction

Immune system

Pigmentation & keratinization of hair & wool

Iron metabolism

(Mc Dowell,1992)

Function of Copper (Cu)

Cu deficiency & reproduction

Cu supplementation is must for quality semen production

(Puls et.al, 1994)

Cu treatment is reported to improve conception rate (Hunter et.al, 2000)

Defficiency: Increased chances of retained placenta and necrosis of placenta

(O’ Dell et.al, 1990)

Low fertility associated with delayed or depressed estrus

(Hawell et.al, 1999)

Effect of hypocuprosis on other mineral concentrations in the blood of buffalo-cows (μg/dl)

Concentration Control Hypocuprosis

Copper 88.45 57.17

Zinc 138.17 113.91

Iron 172.43 133.71

Selenium 132.66 126.71

(Ahmed et al.,2009)

P<0.01

Manganese (Mn)

Essential for normal brain function , collagen formation , enzyme systems, bone growth, urea formation, fatty acid & cholesterol synthesis. (Hunt et al.,1990)

Mn deficiency anoestrous, poor follicular development, delayed

ovulation, silent oestrous & reduced conception rates. (Hurley et al ., 1989)

Cofactor in a number of enzymes responsible for glucogenesis.

(McClure et al., 1994)

In Mn deficient male rat & rabbit

• Sterility & absence of libido along with seminal tubular degeneration, complete lack of spermatids and spermatozoa, and accumulation of degenerating cells in the epididymis.

(Mc Dowell, 1996)

54.94Mn25

Mn

Enzyme activity Arginase, Pyravate carboxylase

Mn-SOD, Hydrolase ,KinaseDecarboxylase, Transferase

Reproduction Role in CL function

congenital defect in youngDisturbances in estrus Testicular degeneration

Cell structure & functionAlteration in cell membrane integrity in liver, pancreas ,kidney and heart

Carbohydrate metabolism

Glucose utilization Involved in insulin formation &activity

Biosynthesis of glycoprotein

(McDowell .,1996)

Manganese function

Manganese

Necessary for cholesterol synthesis

Required for synthesis of steroid (oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone)

(Keen et al., 1990)

Selenium (Se)

Se function as an essential component of the enzyme Glutathione peroxidase, which destroys H2O2 and lipid hydroperoxides.

(Rotruck et al,1973) Se deficiency in cattle reduces the ability of blood and milk neutrophils to kill

yeast and bacteria. (Grasso et al,1990) Administration of both vitamin E and Se results in synergistic enhancement of the

immune responses. (Stabel et al.,1993)

Deficiency of vitamin E and Se increases susceptibility of dairy cows to intra-

mammary infection. (Smith et al,1984)

78.96Se34

Conti…

Se is a component of selenoproteins and is involved in immune and neuropsychological function in animals.

(Meschy, 2000)

Selenium deficiency plays a role in livestock diseases, impaired fertility, abortion, retained placenta and neonatal weakness

(McDowell et al., 1996)

Administration of Se improves daily weight gain of lambs (Gabryszuk & Klewiec, 2002)

Iodine (I)

It is necessary for synthesis of thyroid hormone that regulate energy metabolism.

T3 & T4 maintain BMR & play a role in growth, muscle function, immunity, seasonality of reproduction.

The iodine requirement is affected by production stage and body weight and typically ranges between 0.27 and 0.88ppm

126.90I53

(Mc Dowell, 1996)

Iodine deficiency & reproduction

Iodine is important in the development of fetus and maintenance of general basal metabolic rate.

Signs of deficiency: delayed in puberty, suppressed or irregular estrus

(Puls et al., 1994)

Failure of fertilization, early embryonic death, still birth with weak calves, abortion, increased frequency of retained placenta in females and decrease in libido and deterioration of semen quality in males

(Kumar et al; 2003)

Iron (Fe)

A low level of serum iron (Fe) has been found to influence normal gonadal activity possibly by causing improper hormonal output and deterioration of general physiological function

(Sharma et. al ;1986)

It is evident that in ruminant, Fe deficiency is rare in grazing and well managed animals

(Puls et. al;1994)

55.85Fe26

• Essential in ruminant diets for the synthesis of vitamin B12.

• Improves the efficiency of fiber digestion by bacteria.

• Signs of a cobalt deficiency include increased mortality of offspring shortly after birth, increased susceptibility to infectious agents and infertility

Cobalt58.93Co27

Reproductive status of control and cows supplemented with complexed minerals

Item Control Supplemented

Days to first estrus 67.6 46.9

Days to first service 82.0 74.0

Days from first service to conception

14.2 10.7

Days open 91.7 80.2

Services per conception 1.4 1.4

Days to first luteal activity 35.0 28.8

Days to first corpus luteum 35.7 32.3

(Campbell et al.1999)

26 mg of Co as Co glucoheptonate,125 mg of Cu as Cu-Lys, 199 mg of Mn as Mn-Met, and 359 mg of Zn as Zn-Met.

Estimated NRC (2001) dietary mineral requirements for gestating cattle

  Minerals

  Function

Requirements

Gestating heifer1

Gestating cow2

(mg/kg of diet DM)

Zinc Required for cell division, DNA and RNA replication and repair, and function of many enzymes

31.0 22.8

Copper Required for enzyme activity involving iron metabolism and transport

15.2 13.7

Manganese Deficiencies have resulted in impaired growth, skeletal abnormalities, poor reproductive function

22.0 17.8

Selenium Deficiency has been associated with decreased reproductive performance and retained fetal membranes

0.3 0.3

Iron Present in hemoglobin and functions in oxygen transport to cells

40.0 40.0

Iodine Required for synthesis of thyroid hormones, which regulate the rate of metabolism

0.5 0.5

Cobalt Essential for vitamin B12 synthesis by rumen microbes 0.11 0.111Defined by NRC as 500-kg heifer, ADG = 0.5 kg, day 250 of gestation.2Defined by NRC as 650-kg cow, day 270 of gestation

CONCLUSION

Minerals plays a key role in immunity, enzymatic system and reproduction in animals.

Adequate long-term mineral supplementation is required to maintain normal cellular activity, reproductive function.

Feeding comlplexed forms of Zn, Cu, Mn and Co enhances reproduction performance as compared to inorganic type of mineral.

Improving overall mineral status by providing highly bioavailable mineral sources in the diet is one way of minimizing the risk of insufficient nutritional and reproductive performance.

Supplementation of minerals in animals significantly reduces reproductive disorders along with reproductive health status.