Mineral Nutrition of Animals

Book excerpt: Mineral Nutrition of Animals reviews the research on the mineral nutrition of animals. This book explores the biological function and metabolism of minerals in the body, as well as mineral feeding of various species of farm animals. Topics range from water metabolism and mineral composition of feeds to the physiological role of macroelements such as calcium and potassium and microelements such as iron and copper. This text is comprised of 16 chapters; the first of which provides a historical overview of the science of mineral feeding of animals; mineral elements and their function in animal nutrition; and mineral feeding of animals under industrial conditions. The chapters that follow present general information on minerals, describe the link between biogeochemical regions and biochemical ecology, and analyze the factors affecting the mineral composition of animals' bodies. The reader is also introduced to water metabolism and the water requirements of animals; the metabolism of minerals absorbed into the digestive tract; and the kinetics of mineral metabolism in the blood, organs, and tissues. The next section is devoted to mineral feeding of various species of farm animals such as cattle, sheep, pigs, and poultry. This text concludes by looking at methods of controlling the adequacy of farm animals' mineral diet. This book will be of interest to students and practitioners in agriculture and food science.