Magnesium

I. Functions

A. Component of bone and teeth

B. Essential for cellular metabolism

C. Activation of peptidases - protein digestion

D. Relaxes nerve impulses (opposite of Ca)

E. Serves as a buffer (rumen)

II. Deficiency

A. Grass tetany

1. Twitching

2. Accelerated respiration

3. Head held high

4. Grinding teeth

5. Excessive salivation

Glycolysis & Krebs?????

III. Toxicity

A. Not normally a problem

B. IV injection of excessive Mg:

1. Heart enters sustained contraction (tetany)

2. Death (duh)

Potassium

I. Functions

A. Acid-base balance

B. Transfer of nutrients in/out of cells

C. Relaxes cardiac muscles (opposite Ca)

D. Required for the secretion of insulin

II. Deficiency (rare – high caoncentrate feeding)

A. Growth reduction

B. Unsteady gait

C. Muscle weakness

D. Diarrhea

E. Hypertrophy (enlargment) of heart & kidney

F. Death

III. Toxicity

A. Interfere with Mg absorption and utilization

B. Usually only a problem when

1. Water intake is restricted

2. Water is saline

3. Dysfunctional kidneys

Grass tetany????

Sulfur

I. Functions

A. S-containing amino acids

B. Fat metabolism (component of biotin)

C. CHO metabolism (thiamine & insulin)

D. Energy metabolism (Co-A)

E. Component of connective tissues

F. Conversion of toxic substances to nontoxic

G. Component of hair, wool, feathers

II. Deficiency

A. Slow growth (aa for protein synthesis)

1. N:S ~10:1 (NPN being used)

B. Reduced wool growth

III. Toxicity

A. Production of hydrogen sulfide (toxic gas)

1. Rumen microbes when excessive S in diet

Cobalt

I. Functions

A. Component of cobalamine (Vit. B-12)

B. Needed for cobalamine production by rumen microbes

II. Deficiency (similar to cobalamine)

A. megaloblastic anemia & Neurological lesions

1. weakness tiredness, progressive paralysis, mental disorders, diarrhea

B. decreased growth.

Copper & Molybdenum

I. Functions

A. Iron metabolism

1. Formation of hemoglobin

B. Enzyme activation (Co-factors)

C. Reproduction (fertility)

D. Ratio ~ 2:1 for Cu:Mo

II. Copper

A. Deficiencies (Cu)

1. Swayback (enzootic ataxia), newborn lambs

2. Falling disease, staggering, falling, sudden death

3. Stringy or Steely wool (straight – like hair)

a. “bleaching” of hair color

B. Toxicity (Cu)

1. Accumulation in the liver (ruminants)

III. Molybdenum

A. Deficiency – not a problem

B. Toxicity (same as Cu Deficiency)

1. Scours

2. Weight loss

3. Fading hair color