Phosphorus Deficiency Influences Rumen Microbial Activity: Review

Phosphorus (P) is the second major element requires after calcium in the diet.It is a key mineral in respect of animal nutrition but at the same time one of the main environmental contaminants from livestock production.However, decreasing dietary P concentrations below requirements impairs the health and productivity of dairy cows.Eighty percent of the P is found in the skeleton with its major role as a constituent of bones and teeth.The remainder of P is widely distributed throughout the body in combination with proteins and fats and as inorganic salts.P is essential in the transfer and utilization of energy and it remains present in every living cell in the nucleic acid.Calcium (Ca) and P are closely associated with each other in body metabolism.Adequate Ca and P nutrition depends on three factors: a sufficient supply of both nutrients, with a suitable ratio between them, and the presence of vitamin D for proper absorption into the body.Deficiency of P leads to "pica" including reduced appetite, retarded growth, low milk yield, and impaired fertility.Recently calved cows may become recumbent and display post-parturient hemoglobinuria.A detailed discussion about the effect of P deficiency on rumen microbial activity is presented in the article.