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 D 2 & Vitamin D 3

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 B 1 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 B 2 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 B 6 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 B 12 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