Calcium

I. Most Ca is stored in the bones

A. 99% Ca in body is in bone and teeth

II. Ca mobilization from the bone may not be rapid enough for immediate metabolic needs

A. Tetany may occur (milk fever)

B. Ca is most readily available from the jaw bone (not long bones!)it is

III. Functions (other than bone and teeth)

A. Blood clotting

B. Muscle contraction

C. Nerve transmission

D. Cell wall permeability

E. Enzyme activation

F. Milk production/egg production

G. Secretion of hormones & releasing factors

IV. Deficiency

A. Growth stunted

B. Malformation of teeth and bones

C. (See Vit. D – rickets, Osteomalacia, etc.)

V. Toxicity (not common)

A. May cause increased calcitonin secretion

1. Ca deposition in connective tissue and muscle

B. May cause kidney stones (w/ other minerals)

Phosphorus

I. Very closely linked to Ca

A. Bones & teeth

B. Vit. D, PTH and calcitonin

C. Definite ration in blood

II. Functions

A. Bone formation

B. Teeth development

C. Milk secretion

D. Building muscle tissue

E. Metabolic Functions:

1. Energy utilization

2. Phospholipid formation

3. Amino acid metabolism

4. Enzyme systems

III. Deficiency

A. Weakness

B. Loss of appetite

C. Loss of Ca (demineralization of bone)

D. Reproduction problems

E. Rickets, osteomalacia…

F. Excretion of blood in the urine

1. “Nutritional Redwater”

IV. Toxicity (not likely)

A. May cause ¯ Ca absorption

B. Urinary calculi

V. Ratio of Ca:P

A. 1 to 2 parts Ca to 1 part P

Sodium

I. Function

A. Cation in osmotic pressure and acid-base balance

1. Transfer of nutrients to cells

2. Removal of waste products

3. Maintenance of water balance among tissues

B. Constituent of pancreatic juice, bile, sweat, tears

C. Muscle contraction and nerve functions

D. Role in carbohydrate absorption

1. Na dependant transfer

II. Deficiency

A. Loss of appetite

B. Reduced growth & milk production, weight loss

C. Decreased reproduction

1. Male infertility

2. Delayed puberty by females

III. Toxicity (restricted water consumption)

A. Staggering gait

B. Blindness

C. Other nervous disorders

D. Hypertension

Chlorine

I. Functions

A. Osmotic pressure

B. Acid-base balance

C. Component of HCl in stomach

1. Protein digestion

2. Activation of pepsi

_3. Absorption of Vit. B₁₂

II. Deficiencies

A. Alkalosis – (alkali in blood)

1. Slow shallow breathing

2. Listless

3. Muscle cramps

4. Loss of appetite

B. Reduced growth rate

III. Toxicity – not likely (ample water)

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