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