The importance of zinc, copper and manganese and their impact on growth, immunity and fertility of male cattle: a review.

Trace minerals are essential for the growth, development and total well-being of all living organisms. Although there are various standards regarding the amount of supplementation of minerals, compared with other nutrients like energy, protein, and others; trace minerals are still unexplored, especially in the case of male livestock. These minerals help in improving the growth rate of calves, the utilization of absorbed nutrients, and the immunity of animals thereby preventing metabolic diseases. They also act as growth promoters that can hasten the growth rate of calves and help them reach early puberty. Therefore, the deficiency of these minerals can compromise the growth and development of male calves and impair the fertility of adult bulls. Their physiological importance and role are often underestimated, and their presence in feed in adequate quantities is taken for granted. However, they are essential for maintaining various functions in the body, such as optimising growth, development and reproduction, and fortifying the immune response therefore determining the overall well-being and health status of the animal. The current review highlights specific trace minerals, which include Zn, Cu, and Mn, and their effect on the growth, immunity and reproductive development of males. Artificial insemination is becoming popular in cattle, and this has significantly increased conception rates and per capita milk production. However, due to inadequate management techniques and inadequate feed and trace mineral intakes, India has a very low (30%) AI coverage. Male breeding animals have different needs from lactating and maintenance females. They influence the productivity of a large herd of animals. As the guidelines for trace mineral requirements for breeding animals are not specifically provided, the needs of male livestock are often misinterpreted.