Hair Analysis as an Indicator of Mineral Status of Livestock
TLDR Hair analysis is not a precise way to measure livestock's mineral status but can help when used with other methods.
The document from 1987 discusses the use of hair analysis to determine the mineral status of livestock, highlighting the complexity of interpreting such data. Minerals are incorporated into hair both within the follicle, reflecting the mineral status at the time of hair synthesis, and onto the hair shaft from gland secretions. The process is not continuous due to the cyclical nature of hair follicle activity. While there are correlations between hair mineral concentrations and mineral intake, these are generally weak and influenced by various non-dietary factors such as sex, age, hair color, and contamination. Additionally, the intake of certain minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and iron can affect the uptake of other elements in the hair. Due to these variations, hair mineral analysis alone is not a precise indicator of mineral status but may be useful when combined with other indicators for a more accurate assessment in livestock.
