The role of boron in animal health

Boron is a mineral used for various purposes in glass, ceramics, automotive and paint industries. Recently, boron has been confirmed to be an essential element for plants, animals and humans, although the knowledge of its biological effects is rather scanty. Boron is a dynamic trace element, and inorganic borates are transformed into boric acids and absorbed from mucosal surfaces, even when they are in low levels of physiological pH. It has been determined that boron affects many enzymes, bone development, mineralization, Ca, P, Mg and energy metabolism. Boron mineral compounds can be effective in optimizing the performance of an organism, treatment of bone structure disorders, reduction of cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Beside the effects it produces specifically on fat and lipid metabolisms, boron can influence the activity of vitamin D and affect some disorders connected with its deficiency. Although several studies on effects of boron on some mechanisms have been conducted over the last ten years, the available information remains insufficient.