Impact of Minerals on Reproduction of Animals

Infertility in dairy animal is a complex and multifactorial phenomenon. In addition to energy and protein deficiency, minerals play an important role in preventing reproductive problems in dairy animals.  Minerals are required for maintaining membrane integrity, hormone production and maintenance of strong immune system which are helpful for preventing reproductive problems in animal. Mineral supplementation strategies are very complex, because differences in mineral status and requirement of all livestock in order to obtain optimum production. Subclinical or marginal deficiencies may be a larger problem than acute mineral deficiency because specific clinical symptoms are not evident to allow the producer to recognize the deficiency. Trace element deficiency may be linked to problems such as retained foetal membranes, abortion and weak calf born. Subsequently mineral deficiency leads to decreased milk production in lactating cows