Mineral nutrition and its effects on gastrointestinal immune function of sheep

Abstract

Sustainable control of gastrointestinal nematode parasitism requires optimisation of protective mucosal immunity. This may involve controlling predisposing factors, of which nutrition is the easiest to manipulate, or immuno-enhancement, including that by dietary components. Minerals are 1 type of dietary component with the potential to alter regulation of mucosal immunity to parasites.

In addition to more specific functions, both major and trace elements have wide-ranging roles in the activity of enzyme systems, with the potential to affect immunity via a number of pathways. While there is little reported work on the effects of minerals on mucosal immunity of ruminants, some important principles can be drawn from this work. These are discussed with work on immunity in general. Also indicated is the future research needed to explain the role of minerals in immunity to internal parasites and to permit the application of this understanding to on-farm situations.