Two macronutrients which are in close balance with one another are calcium and phosphorus.

• Two macronutrients which are in close balance with one another are calcium and phosphorus.
• The mineral element found in the greatest abundance in mammals is calcium.
• It is vital for healthy bones and teeth (where 90% of this mineral is found) where along with phosphorus it brings rigidity and shape to these structures.
• Calcium also plays a fundamental role in the transfer of information between cells and in the transmission of nerve impulses. For example, it plays essential roles in blood coagulation and muscular contraction as well as serving as a second messenger in a host of intracellular reactions.
• Similar to calcium, a large proportion of phosphorus (over 80%) is retained in the bones and teeth. Other roles include its presence in cell membranes (as phospholipids) and the provision of energy at a cellular level. Phosphorus is also a structural component of DNA and RNA, the molecules that carry the cell’s genetic code.

 

 

Calcium Gluconate
What Is Calcium Gluconate?

• Calcium gluconate is the calcium salt of gluconic acid, an intravenous medication used to treat conditions arising from calcium deficiencies such as hypocalcemic tetany, hypocalcemia related to hypoparathyrodism, and hypocalcemia due to rapid growth or pregnancy.
• Calcium is the mineral that is found in the greatest abundance in mammals, including dogs and cats, and also one of the greatest importance because of its vital intracellular and extracellular functions as well as providing structural rigidity of the body.

 

 

In terms of its structural role, the primary role of calcium is, when combined with phosphorus, in the formation of hard structures such as bones and teeth.

• In terms of its structural role, the primary role of calcium is, when combined with phosphorus, in the formation of hard structures such as bones and teeth.
• Low dietary levels are therefore associated with severe skeletal problems.
• Calcium (especially in its ionized form) is also involved in numerous key intracellular and extracellular processes such as blood clotting, the transmission of nerve impulses, muscle contraction, maintenance of vasomotor tone, and cellular signaling.
• The level of calcium in the blood plasma is crucial to these functions and is under tight homeostatic control.
• Dietary calcium absorption is controlled by parathyroid hormone (PTH), which regulates the renal production of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.
• This vitamin stimulates the absorption of calcium from the intestine, so by carefully controlling its production, calcium absorption can be regulated up at low intake and down at high intake.

 

 

Phosphoric Acid :
Key metabolic roles that phosphorus is involved in include:
1.Development and maintenance:

• Phosphorus and calcium work hand in hand together in forming the structural component of the animal; whether being teeth, bone or structural tissue.
• The skeleton also acts as a storage compartment for phosphorous and calcium, therefore when sufficient levels are in the bloodstream they are absorbed and reserved for when they are needed.

 

2.Energy!

• Phosphorus plays a major role in energy utilisation, transfer and metabolism.

 

3.Absorption, transportation and exchange:

• Phosphorus compounds are involved in all major functions such as protein synthesis. Phosphorus is also involved in the transport of fatty acids and the exchange of amino acids.

 

4.Growth and cell differentiation (DNA):

• Phosphorus helps forms part of the nucleic acid which is involved with the genetic transfer in DNA.
• Phosphorus has an important role in the animals feed conversion, appetite and fertility.

 

 

What are the symptoms of phosphorus deficiency?
Symptoms your livestock may show if they are deficient in phosphorous are:

1. Chronic phosphorus deficiency includes weight loss, stiff joints and muscular weakness.
2. Poor bone formation including stunted growth and broken bones
3. Chewing foreign material such as bones, dirt, wood or stones
4. Livestock that may be deficient in phosphorus may not always present physical signs,
5. Poor feed conversion
6. Decrease in fertility
7. Decrease in milk quality, production and yield

 

 

Vitamin D3

• 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
• in cellular development and differentiation.

 

 

Mechanism of vitamin D on absorption of calcium and magnesium:

• It is well known that vitamin D stimulates active transport of calcium and phosphorus across intestinal epithelium.
• This stimulation does not involve PTH directly but involves the active form of vitamin D.
• Parathyroid hormone indirectly stimulates intestinal calcium absorption by stimulating production of 1,25-(OH)2D3under conditions of hypocalcemia.

 

 

Mechanism of action:

• 1,25-(OH)2D is transferred to the nucleus of the intestinal cell, where it interacts with the chromatin material.
• In response to the 1,25-(OH)2D, specific RNAs are elaborated by the nucleus, and when these are translated into specific proteins by ribosomes, the events leading to enhancement of calcium and phosphorus absorption occur

 

 

In the intestine, 1,25-(OH)2D3 promotes synthesis of calbindin (calcium-binding protein, CaBP) and other proteins and stimulates calcium and phosphorus absorption.

• In the intestine, 1,25-(OH)2D3 promotes synthesis of calbindin (calcium-binding protein, CaBP) and other proteins and stimulates calcium and phosphorus absorption.
• Vitamin D has also been reported to influence magnesium

 

 

Magnesium Chloride
Role of magnesium in animals:

• Bone formation
• Cell replication
• Hormone regulation
• Nerve impulse transmission (stress) and muscle contraction
• Fertility
• Resistance to infection (immune system, vitamin E)

 

 

Problems linked to magnesium deficiencies:

• Rickets (due to mobilization of skeletal Mg2+)
• Grass tetany or staggers (spasms caused by a decrease in the
• Mg2+ concentration in the blood)
• Thrombosis (clot formation in a blood vessel).