The Role of Zinc in Animal Nutrition: Functions, Requirements, Sources, and Recent Advances

Author(s)	DR. Ather Hussain Hussain
Country	India
Abstract	Zinc is an essential trace mineral that plays a fundamental role in animal nutrition by supporting growth, metabolism, immune function, reproduction, and antioxidant defense. As a cofactor for numerous enzymes and regulatory proteins, zinc is involved in protein synthesis, cell division, gene expression, and tissue development. Adequate dietary zinc is necessary to maintain optimal health and productivity in livestock, poultry, aquaculture species, and companion animals, whereas deficiency can lead to impaired growth, reduced feed efficiency, weakened immunity, reproductive disorders, and increased susceptibility to diseases. Zinc is supplied through natural feed ingredients and dietary supplements in inorganic, organic, and nano forms, with bioavailability varying among sources. Recent advances in zinc nutrition have focused on improving mineral utilization through organic chelates and nanotechnology, thereby enhancing animal performance while reducing environmental zinc excretion. This review summarizes the biological functions, dietary requirements, sources, metabolism, and recent developments in zinc supplementation, highlighting its significance in sustainable and precision animal nutrition.
Keywords	Animal nutrition; Trace mineral; Zinc bioavailability; Zinc supplementation; Immune function; Growth performance; Animal health.
Field	Biology > Zoology
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 4, July-August 2026
Published On	2026-07-09

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