Whether high milk production causes ovarian cysts or ovarian cysts cause higher milk production is not clear, but hormonal balance rather than nutrition appears to be the cause. Few reports link cystic ovaries and nutrition. High levels of grain feeding have been associated with increased frequencies of cystic follicles. Anestrus rather than nymphomania was the primary behavioral sign associated with the cystic follicles. Abortions and cystic ovaries have been prevalent on farms feeding relatively high manganese feeds while anestrus occurred on farms feeding low manganese.
Plant estrogens and beta-carotene deficiencies have also been linked to cystic follicles.
Embryonic Death and Abortions. Studies correlating nutrition and proven embryonic mortality in cattle are limited. Selenium deficiencies in sheep and copper deficiencies in cattle have reportedly been associated with high incidences of prenatal or early embryonic mortality. Acute nutritional deficiencies can cause abortions. Nutrient deficiencies reportedly causing abortions are vitamin A, vitamin E, iodine, manganese, and severe starvation.