Topic # 3044 Vitamins & Minerals By: Alisa Amy Kowalski Vitamins • • • • Essential organic nutrient Required in minute amounts Cannot be made (synthesized by the body) Must be obtained from an external source – Examples: Diet, sunshine, rumen bacteria, etc. • Required for growth, maintenance, reproduction, & lactation • Not used directly to build body tissue Classes of Vitamins • Fat-soluble – can be stored in the liver an other fatty tissues – A, E, D, & K • Water-soluble – – – – only a limited amount are stored must be provided in ration deficiencies can develop in short period of time B, C, & Choline Types of Feeds • Animals on commercially prepared feeds do not usually have deficiencies due to feeds being fortified & balanced • Animals on pasture are more likely to develop deficiencies • May be due to – seasonal deficiency in feed – toxin or poison that “blocks” absorption Vitamin A • Development of normal, healthy skin & nerve tissue, aids in resistance to infection • Important in rations of pregnant females • All animals require a source • Deficiency signs – retarded growth in young, night blindness • Sources – whole milk, carotene, animal body oils (cod fish and tuna) legume forages Vitamin E • Normal reproduction and serves as the protector of vitamin A in poultry and cattle • Utilization is dependent on ample selenium • Deficiency signs – poor growth, “crazy chick” disease, Muscular Dystrophy, white-muscle disease in ruminants and swine • Sources – cereal grains and wheat germ oil, green forages, protein concentrates, oil seeds (peanut and soybean) Vitamin D • Essential for proper utilization of calcium and phosphorus to produce healthy bones • Deficiency signs – retarded growth, misshapen bones, lameness and osteoporosis • Sources – whole milk, sun-cured hays, forage crops, fish liver oils, irradiated yeast – Chemical forms: Vitamin D2 & Vitamin D3 Vitamin K • Necessary for the maintenance of normal blood coagulation • Deficiency signs – blood loses its power to clot, serious hemorrhages can result from slight wounds • Sources – green leafy forages, fish meal, liver, soybeans, rumen and intestinal synthesis Vitamin C -Ascorbic Acid • Effects metabolism of calcium – not required in rations of farm animals • Deficiency signs – none demonstrated in livestock – human deficiency -scurvy & brittleness of bones • Sources – citrus fruits, tomatoes, leafy vegetables and potatoes Vitamin B1 Thiamin • Normal metabolism of carbohydrates • Deficiency signs – loss of appetite, muscular weakness, severe nervous disorders, general weakness and wasting • Sources – raw, whole grains (especially their seed coats and embryos), fresh green forage; and yeast, milk and rumen synthesis Vitamin B2 Riboflavin • For normal embryo development, metabolism of amino acids and carbohydrates • Deficiency signs – poor reproduction, characterized by small litters and deformed young, digestive disturbances, general weakness, and eye abnormalities • Sources – milk and dairy by-products, yeast, green forages, well cured hay, & whole grains Niacin • Prevents vitamin or black tongue factor • Ruminants do not require due to production by bacterial synthesis in rumen • Deficiency signs – reddening of the skin and development of sores in the mouth • Sources – dried yeast, rice bran, peanut oil meal, green forage, barley grain, sorghum grains,& fish meal Vitamin B6 Pyridoxine • Associated with fat metabolism • No danger of deficiency due to most feeds are fair to good sources • Deficiency signs – specific dermatitis, convulsions (in swine), and anemia • Sources – cereal grains, milk, cane molasses, yeast and rice polish Pantothenic Acid • Plays essential role in basic biochemical reactions • Synthesized by bacteria in rumen • Deficiency signs – Abnormal skin condition on face & eyes, retarded growth, & poor feather development • Sources – fresh, small grains, alfalfa hay, green pasture, wheat bran, peanut oil, dairy by-products, and yeast Vitamin B12 • Essential for normal growth, reproduction and red blood cell formation • Deficiency signs – slow growth, poor reproduction, & lack of coordination • Sources – fish meal, liver meal, dried milk products, and rumen synthesis Choline • Transportation and utilization of fatty acids • Deficiency signs – kidney and liver damage, slipped tendons in chicks, and development of fatty livers • Sources – liver meal, brewer’s yeast, fish meal, cottonseed meal, and soybean oil meal Biotin • Prevents slipped tendons in chicks and increases the hatchability of eggs • Deficiency signs – dermatitis, hair loss, slipped tendons in chicks, and reduced hatchability of eggs • Sources – ordinary feeds Folic Acid • Required for normal blood cell development & anti-anemia vitamin • Deficiency signs – megaloblastic anemia, retarded growth, poor feathering, bleaching of feathers, and poor hatchablility of eggs • Sources – forages, oil meals, and cereal grains