Cobalt is an essential trace element for all animals, as the active center of coenzymes calledcobalamins.

These include vitamin B12, which is essential for mammals. Cobalt is also an active nutrient for bacteria, algae, and fungi. Biological role Cobalt is essential to all animals, including humans. It is a key constituent of cobalamin, also known asvitamin B12. A deficiency of cobalt leads to anemia, a lethal disorder. Anemia secondary to cobalt deficiency is very rare, though, because trace amounts of cobalt are available in most diets. The minimum presence of cobalt in soils markedly improves the health of grazing animals, and a uptake of 0.20mg/kg a day is recommended.[66] The cobalamin-based proteins use corrin to hold the cobalt. Coenzyme B12 features a reactive C-Co bond, which participates in its reactions.[67] In humans, B12 exists with two types of alkyl ligand: methyl and adenosyl. MeB12 promotes methyl (-CH3) group transfers. The adenosyl version of B12 catalyzes rearrangements in which a hydrogen atom is directly transferred between two adjacent atoms with concomitant exchange of the second substituent, X, which may be a carbon atom with substituents, an oxygen atom of an alcohol, or an amine. Methylmalonyl coenzyme A mutase (MUT) converts MMl-CoA toSu-CoA, an important step in the extraction of energy from proteins and fats.[68] Although far less common than other metalloproteins (e.g. those of zinc and iron), cobaltoproteins are known aside from B12. These proteins include methionine aminopeptidase 2 and nitrile hydratase. Cobalt (Co) Cobalt is another element that is necessary for good human health. While cobalt has no specific function by itself, it forms the core of vitamin B-12. Without cobalt, Vitamin B-12 could not exist. The body uses this vitamin for numerous of purposes. B-12 is necessary for the normal formation of all cells, especially red blood cells. Vitamin B-12 also helps vitamin C perform its functions, and is necessary for the proper digestion of the food that we eat. Additionally, vitamin B-12 prevents nerve damage by contributing to the formation of the protective sheath that insulates nerve cells. A deficiency of vitamin B-12 can cause our red blood cells to form improperly. This can prevent our red blood cells from carrying enough oxygen from our lungs to the different parts of our bodies, thus causing a condition called anemia. Symptoms of anemia include loss of energy, loss of appetite, and moodiness. B12 deficiency can also cause nerve cells to form incorrectly, resulting in irreversible nerve damage. This situation is characterized by symptoms such as delusions, eye disorders, dizziness, confusion and memory loss. Unlike other B complex vitamins, vitamin B-12 can be stored in the body. Because of this, it is very easy to get enough of this important vitamin in your diet. Deficiencies of B-12 are rare in young people, but do occasionally occur in adults due to digestive disorders or poor absorption by the digestive system. Strict vegetarians are also at risk of B-12 deficiency, because vegetables do not contain

this important vitamin. B-12 is only found in animal sources such as red meat, fish, eggs, cheese and milk. Fortunately for vegetarians, you can also get plenty of vitamin B-12 from most multi-vitamin pills Biological function: The principal biological functions of cobalt may be summarised as follows; Cobalt is an integral component of cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12), and as such is essential for red blood cell formation and the maintenance of nerve tissue. Although not confirmed, cobalt may also function as an activating agent for various enzyme systems. Dietary sources and absorption: Rich dietary sources of cobalt include copra meal (2 mg/kg Co), linseed meal, dried brewers yeast, fish meal, meat meal, cottonseed meal, and soybean meal (0.50.1 mg/kg). Cobalt is readily absorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract and the surrounding water by fish and crustacea. Dietary cobalt availability and absorption is reduced in the presence of high dietary intakes of iodine. Which form of cobalt to take?

As for B12. Whilst deficiency can cause problems, so can excess (over 30mg/day). Signs associated with excess B12 include Nausea Heart failure Goiter Kidney damage Hypothyroidism Nerve damage WHAT IS COBALT? An essential trace element that is ingested with the pasture and sometimes soil. Sheep, in particular, require cobalt for the manufacture of Vitamin B12. Cobalt is converted to Vitamin B12 in the rumen by rumen micro organisms. Although referred to as cobalt deficiency it is the converted Vitamin B12 which is required by the animal not the cobalt itself. THE MANUFACTURE, MOVEMENT & STORAGE OF VITAMIN B12 IN SHEEP Cobalt is converted to Vitamin B12 by micro-organisms in the rumen. Absorption of Vitamin B12 occurs primarily in the small intestine and is enhanced by slower rates of movement of material through the intestine. Absorption is inhibited by damage to the walls of the small intestine, For example:caused by worms. Vitamin B12 binds to blood and then is transported around the body. The principle storage organ for Vitamin B12 is the liver. The animal draws on these reserves when required. Pregnant ewes, adequate in Vitamin B12, will provide optimal amounts of Vitamin B12 to the foetus (developing lamb). This is important for early lamb growth and development. The colostrum contains some Vitamin B12 but is inadequate to provide any length of protection. Milk does not contain any significant quantities of Vitamin B12. WHY DO SHEEP REQUIRE VITAMIN B12? Vitamin B12 is essential for the growth of cells, energy production and wool production in sheep. Production losses, particularly in young sheep can be significant if Vitamin B12 levels are low. CELL GROWTH AND MATURATION Young developing lambs, weaner sheep and pregnant or lactating ewes, have high requirements for Vitamin B12. ENERGY PRODUCTION Propionic acid is a product of rumen fermentation. Vitamin B12 is essential in the conversion of propionic acid to succinate, then to glucose for energy. The main site of this conversion is in the liver. WOOL PRODUCTION Vitamin B12 is required for the metabolism of methionine. Methionine is necessary for optimum growth and wool production. COBALT DEFICIENCY AND HOW IT EFFECTS PRODUCTIVITY Cobalt deficiency in sheep is associated with clinical signs described under many different names. More commonly, this disease is referred to as 'wasting' or 'coastal' disease indicating

its prevalence in many coastal grazing areas of Australia. An animal lacking in cobalt (Vitamin B12) shows similar signs to that of starvation. The appetite is affected resulting in reduced feed intake causing: weight loss decreased feed efficiency ill thrift Anaemia (low level of red blood cells), diarrhoea, scaly ears and weepy eyes are also clinical signs associated with a cobalt (Vitamin B12) deficiency. PRODUCTIVITY & PROFITABILITY CAN BE SEVERELY EFFECTED THROUGH: reduced growth rates, particularly in young animals reduced wool cuts and wool quality lower lambing percentages and low birth weights decreased fertility high mortality rates in severe cases TYPES OF COBALT DEFICIENCY Severe cobalt deficiency is readily recognised by the clinical signs. These signs are not specific to cobalt deficiency and it is recommended that blood testing be carried out to confirm a deficiency. In severe cases, production losses can be significant and mortality rates can be high. A marginal deficiency is of greatest concern because production losses may go unnoticed. A 'tail' in the flock is characteristic of this form of the deficiency, however reduced wool growth and reduced growth rates are less obvious in this situation.

"B12 is the only vitamin synthesized solely by certain microorganismsmany of which are abundant in soil. And the only vitamin containing a trace element: cobalt. B12 owes its chemical namecobalaminto the cobalt at the center of its molecular structure. Humans and all vertebrates require cobalt, though it's assimilated only in the form of B12. Cobalt is important in the plant world. Bacteria on root nodules of legumes (beans, alfalfa, clover) require cobalt (and other trace elements) to synthesize B12 and fix nitrogen from air. Soybeans grown without cobalt are severely retarded in growth and exhibit severe nitrogen deficiency, leading to death in about one of four plants. Adding only a few ounces of cobalt per acre can resolve deficiency symptoms in ten to 21 days. Cobalt deficiency is far more dramatic in animals, particularly ruminants (cattle, deer, camels, and sheep) grazing on deficient pasture. These animals obtain all their B12 from their gut bacteria, but only if bacteria are provided cobalt salts from pasture. Legumes with less than 80 parts per billion (ppb) cobalt can't meet ruminant B12 needs. Under deficient conditions, calves and lambs thrive and grow normally for a few months as they draw on B12 reserves in liver and other tissue, but soon exhibit gradual loss of appetite and failure to grow, followed by anemia, rapid weight loss and finally death. Marginally deficient pastures cause birth of weak lambs and calves that don't survive long. These symptoms mirror B12 deficiency in human infants. To prevent or alleviate cobalt-B12 deficiency, farmers routinely add cobalt to animal feeds or salt licks. Some fertilize pastures with cobalt-enriched fertilizers; others opt for periodic quick-fix B12 injections. With any of these measures, all symptoms are reversed and B12 in milk and colostrum dramatically increases. The implication for humans subsisting on vegetarian diets are profound. B12 synthesis by indigenous bacteria is known to occur naturally in the human small intestine, primary site of B12 absorption. As long as gut bacteria have cobalt and certain other nutrients, they produce B12. In principle then, internal B12 synthesis could fulfill our needs without any B12 provided by diet. But if cobalt in our diet is on the wane, perhaps the problem isn't so much lack of B12-synthesizing intestinal flora as lack of cobalt, the element with which bacteria weave their magic. The burning question then is: how cobalt deficient is our soil? " Deficiency symptoms usually include those of a Vitamin B12 deficiency. Toxicity symptoms include: decreased cardiac output, cardiac and thyroid enlargements, and heart disease. Other signs include: elevated red blood cells (polycythemia) accompanied by increased cells in the bone marrow, increased

blood volume, and vasodilation and flushing. In order for this to happen, an intake of 250 mg/kg of body weight must have been ingested for a period of time. Note: Cobalt toxicity is suspected to be the cause of some cardiac failures in heavy beer drinkers because it was added to beer to improve its foaming qualities. High alcohol consumption along with 8 mg. per day of cobalt is enough to induce cardiomyopathy (a condition where the heart enlarges accompanied by low cardiac output).