Role of Micro-nutrients in Bovine Reproduction

Micro-nutrients have critical roles in the key interrelated systems of immune function, oxidative metabolism, and energy metabolism in ruminants. Micro minerals have a great impact on animal's reproductive physiology and its imbalance causes various problems leading to lowered reproductive efficiency and resultant monetary loss to the dairy industry. Reproductive efficiency is a major factor that affects profitability in ruminants. Trace minerals such as Zinc, Copper, Manganese, and Selenium are essential with classically defined roles as components of key antioxidant enzymes and proteins. Adequate micro minerals supplementation is required as most of the roughages, greens, concentrates and even most of commercial feeds available to Indian market are deficient in trace mineral elements. Often correcting an imbalance in mineral levels can sole a troublesome problem by improving reproductive performance and health with little additional cost. Due to diversity of terrain and agro climatic regions of India, so one therapeutic treatment may not be suitable for other regions. Hence there is a need to map of the various nutrient status in soil, fodder and animal, so that accordingly an area specific mineral may be supplemented.