Editing Arsenic (section)

=== Potential role in higher animals ===

Arsenic may be an essential trace mineral in birds, involved in the synthesis of methionine metabolites.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Živkov Baloš |first1=M. |last2=Jakšić |first2=S. |last3=Ljubojević Pelić |first3=D. |date=September 2019 |title=The role, importance and toxicity of arsenic in poultry nutrition |journal=World's Poultry Science Journal |volume=75 |issue=3 |pages=375–386 |doi=10.1017/S0043933919000394 }}</ref> However, the role of arsenic in bird nutrition is disputed, as other authors state that arsenic is toxic in small amounts.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Aljohani | first = A.S. | year = 2023 | title=Heavy metal toxicity in poultry: A comprehensive review | journal=Frontiers in Veterinary Science | volume=10 | pmid=37456954 | pmc=10340091 | doi=10.3389/fvets.2023.1161354 | doi-access=free }}</ref>

Some evidence indicates that arsenic is an essential trace mineral in mammals.<ref name=ANut>Anke M. (1986) "Arsenic", pp. 347–372 in Mertz W. (ed.), ''Trace elements in human and Animal Nutrition'', 5th ed. Orlando, FL: Academic Press</ref><ref name=UEssent>
{{cite journal
 |last1=Uthus |first1=Eric O.
 |year=1992
 |title= Evidency for arsenical essentiality
 |journal= Environmental Geochemistry and Health 
 |volume=14 |issue=2 |pages=55–58
 |pmid=24197927  |bibcode=1992EnvGH..14...55U
 |s2cid=22882255 |doi=10.1007/BF01783629
}}
:
{{cite book
 |last=Uthus |first=E.O.
 |year=1994
 |section=Arsenic essentiality and factors affecting its importance
 |editor1-last=Chappell  |editor1-first=W.R.
 |editor2-last=Abernathy |editor2-first=C.O.
 |editor3-last=Cothern   |editor3-first=C.R.
 |title=Arsenic Exposure and Health
 |pages=199–208
 |place=Northwood, UK
 |publisher=Science and Technology Letters
}}
</ref>

Experimental studies in rodents and livestock have shown that arsenic deprivation can lead to impaired growth, reduced reproductive performance, and abnormal glucose metabolism, suggesting it may play a role in essential metabolic processes.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/6444/arsenic-in-drinking-water |title=Arsenic in Drinking Water |date=1999-06-14 |publisher=National Academies Press |isbn=978-0-309-06333-3 |location=Washington, D.C.|doi=10.17226/6444 |pmid=25101451 |author1=National Research Council (US) Subcommittee on Arsenic in Drinking Water }}</ref> Arsenic has been proposed to participate in [[methylation]] reactions, possibly influencing gene regulation and detoxification pathways.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Abernathy |first1=C O |last2=Liu |first2=Y P |last3=Longfellow |first3=D |last4=Aposhian |first4=H V |last5=Beck |first5=B |last6=Fowler |first6=B |last7=Goyer |first7=R |last8=Menzer |first8=R |last9=Rossman |first9=T |last10=Thompson |first10=C |last11=Waalkes |first11=M |date=July 1999 |title=Arsenic: health effects, mechanisms of actions, and research issues. |journal=Environmental Health Perspectives |volume=107 |issue=7 |pages=593–597 |doi=10.1289/ehp.99107593 |pmc=1566656 |pmid=10379007|bibcode=1999EnvHP.107..593A }}</ref> However, because the threshold between beneficial and toxic exposure is extremely narrow, arsenic is not currently classified as an essential element for humans, and its physiological role in higher animals remains uncertain.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Hughes |first=Michael F. |date=2002-07-07 |title=Arsenic toxicity and potential mechanisms of action |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12076506 |journal=Toxicology Letters |volume=133 |issue=1 |pages=1–16 |doi=10.1016/s0378-4274(02)00084-x |issn=0378-4274 |pmid=12076506}}</ref>