The interrelationship between macrominerals and heat stress in ruminants: current perspectives and future directions - a review

Macromineral imbalances in ruminants, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions, pose a significant challenge to production sustainability and profitability. Heat stress exacerbates these imbalances, negatively impacting physiological functions and productivity. This review examines the effects of heat stress on macromineral levels in ruminants and the need for supplementation under such conditions. Heat stress lowers key macrominerals (Na+, K+, Cl-, Ca + 2, Mg + 2, inorganic P) and disrupts acid-base balance due to thermoregulatory responses and reduced feed intake. Supplementing macrominerals to the diet to achieve higher dietary cation-anion difference helps mitigate heat-related morbidity and maintains ruminant health and productivity. A more practical approach, such as sustained-release macromineral boluses in the rumen, is proposed to provide more consistent benefits. Further researches are warranted to optimize supplementation strategies and fully understand macromineral nutrition for heat-stressed ruminants.