Introduction

Molybdenum and copper are often discussed together due to their interaction within the system. Monogastric diets as with horses which are based on high grain intake can potentially be low in molybdenum.

Molybdenum availability within the content of the pasture can be affected by soil moisture, the pH of the soil and the season. The absence of molybdenum in the horses system can cause a copper deficiency. Molybdenum absorption, retention and excretion is inversely related to dietary sulphur levels. The importance of molybdenum in the system can be largely viewed as essential in providing the benefits alongside copper because of the interaction between the two. (Is perhaps interesting to note that it is a major catalyst in the presence of clover growth in pasture.)

Molybdenum is a constituent of several important enzymes, and plays a role in fertility, the estrus cycle, and mammary anti-carcinogenesis.

Deficiency

See notes under Deficiency in Copper section. Once again, hard to distinguish exactly what role molybdenum plays in deficiency diseases only that it is very interactive with copper and a essential mineral because of this.