Trace element deficiencies and fertility in ruminants: a review

Various minerals (copper, cobalt, selenium, manganese, iodine, zinc, and iron) can influence reproductive performance of ruminants. Reproductive failure may be induced by deficiencies of single or combined trace elements and by imbalances. This review is focused on maladjustments of trace elements l...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of dairy science 1979-08, Vol.62 (8), p.1195-1206
Main Author: Hidiroglou, M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abortion, Veterinary - etiology
Animals
Cattle - physiology
Cattle Diseases - etiology
Cobalt - deficiency
Copper - deficiency
Female
Fertility
Fertilization
Goats - physiology
Infertility, Female - veterinary
Infertility, Male - veterinary
Iodine - deficiency
Iron - deficiency
Male
Manganese - deficiency
Pregnancy
Selenium - deficiency
Sheep - physiology
Sheep Diseases - etiology
Spermatogenesis
Trace Elements - deficiency
Zinc - deficiency
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Summary:Various minerals (copper, cobalt, selenium, manganese, iodine, zinc, and iron) can influence reproductive performance of ruminants. Reproductive failure may be induced by deficiencies of single or combined trace elements and by imbalances. This review is focused on maladjustments of trace elements leading to impaired breeding performance. Opinion is diverse as to the existence of various reproductive disturbances from either a severe copper depletion or a marginal dietary copper deficiency. Field experience suggests that administration of cobalt to ruminants on cobalt-deficient diets improves their impaired breeding performance. Selenium infertility in ewes is more prevalent in some areas and in some seasons, but the actual cause of this malady and the continuing role of additional factors are unknown. Manganese is necessary for normal fertility in ruminants, and feeding low-manganese rations depresses conception rates. Lack of iodine impairs thyroid activity and also ovarian function. Reproductive failure in the female and in spermatogenesis are manifestations of zinc deficiency. Despite forages rich in iron, low availability in certain instances could affect adversely ruminant reproduction. Knowledge of biochemical dysfunctions from trace element deficiencies is essential to determine the role which trace elements play in fertility of ruminant animals.
ISSN:0022-0302
1525-3198
DOI:10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(79)83400-1