EFFECT OF MINERAL DEFICIENCY ON MAJOR PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS IN CATTLE IN IDUKKI AND ERNAKUAM DISTRICTS OF KERALA, INDIA

Minerals have wide array of functions in the physiological processes of animal body including reproduction, lactation, and immunity. Mineral deficiency in livestock animals is responsible for poor growth, decreased milk production, reproductive disorders, and decrease in immunity which collectively affects the productivity of animals and subsequent economic losses to the farmer. Nutritional management of the dairy animals plays an important role in the milk production, reproduction as well as health. Minerals have wide array of functions in the physiological processes of animal body including reproduction, lactation, and immunity. Animal’s feeds and fodder often do not include all the requisite minerals and therefore need to be supplemented. The present study focus on the effect of mineral deficiency in major physiological and biochemical parameters in cattle of two districts of Kerala, India