Parakeratosis prevention in growing animals is achieved by supplementation with which mineral?

• A. Copper
• B. Selenium
• C. Zinc
• D. Iodine

Answer: (C)

Parakeratosis is a skin-keratinization problem that occurs when growing animals don’t have enough zinc to support normal epidermal differentiation. Zinc is essential for keratinocyte maturation and the formation of the cornified envelope, so adequate zinc ensures the epidermis turns over properly and nuclei disappear from the stratum corneum. When zinc needs are met, the crusting and scaling associated with parakeratosis resolve as normal keratinization resumes.

Other minerals address different systems—copper is linked to connective tissue and hematology, selenium to antioxidant protection and muscle health, and iodine to thyroid function—so they don’t specifically prevent parakeratosis.