EQUI LIX

Zinc is an essential nutrient for animals, functioning in enzyme systems and being involved in protein synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, and many other biochemical reactions. A severe zinc deficiency causes numerous pathological changes, including skin parakeratosis, reduced or cessation of growth, general debility, lethargy, and increased susceptibility to infection.

Iron is essential for a wide variety of the metabolic processes of living organisms, due to its chemical transitional property. Iron is present in the different forms of heme and the iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster binding protein, which plays an important role in various enzymatic reactions such as aerobic respiration, TCA-cycle function and DNA synthesis as well as oxygen transport and storage. It is a substantial component of red blood cells participating to the blood's structure and improves the functioning of organs and tissues.

Calcium is the main component of bones and teeth. It has chief metabolic functions in the animal bodies and is also essential for muscle activity, skeleton, blood clotting, nerve transmission and dynamics of enzyme function. Calcium metabolism at calving is one of the most important animal health factors influencing the production, reproduction and feed conversion efficiency as it plays a major role in the absorption of nutrients (modification of the cell permeability).

Selenium is a component of glutathione peroxidase, an enzyme for the removal of lipid peroxides. Selenium is very important in fertility and helps muscular development. Se is also a component of two other selenoproteins. The midpiece of sperm requires selenoprotein. Microbes in the rumen replace S with Se in their S-containing amino acid synthesis. They are absorbed in the duodenum as amino acids. White muscle disease and exudative diathesis are two Se deficiency symptoms, which can be treated with both vitamin E and Se. Deficient animals also show liver necrosis. Selenium prevents oxidative damage to tissues by offering an antioxidant action and protects against cell damage.

Vitamin A is necessary for support of growth, health and life of major animal species. In the absence of vitamin A, animals will cease to grow and eventually die. Vitamin A and its derivatives, the retinoids, have a profound influence on organ development, cell proliferation, and cell differentiation and their deficiency originates or predisposes animals to a number of disabilities.

Vitamin D the primary function of Vitamin D is to elevate plasma calcium and phosphorus to a level that will support normal mineralization of bone as well as other body functions. It is now realized that Vitamin D is not only important for mineralization and skeletal growth but has many other roles in regulation of the parathyroid gland, in the immune system, in skin, cancer prevention, in metabolism of foreign chemicals and in cellular development and differentiation.