5.7: Vitamins
- Page ID
- 181603
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Fats act as important carriers for the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K). Vitamins are organic compounds required in minute amounts that function primarily as coenzymes or regulatory molecules rather than providing energy or structural material. They are classified by solubility.
Fat-soluble vitamins are involved in regulating body functions like vision, bone development, blood clotting, and tissue maintenance and can be stored in the body's fat tissue.
Vitamin A is essential for vision, epithelial cell integrity, bone growth, and immune function. Deficiency causes night blindness, keratinization of epithelial tissues, reproductive failure, and increased infection susceptibility. Ruminants generally meet vitamin A needs from carotenes in fresh forage; grain-fed animals require supplementation.
Vitamin D (cholecalciferol in animals) functions as a hormone regulating calcium and phosphorus homeostasis. It promotes intestinal calcium absorption, renal calcium reabsorption, and bone mineral mobilization. Synthesis occurs in skin exposed to UV light; housed animals require dietary sources. Deficiency causes rickets in growing animals (inadequate bone mineralization with skeletal deformities) and osteomalacia in adults (bone demineralization, fractures). Vitamin D is critical in preventing milk fever (parturient paresis) in high-producing dairy cows.
Vitamin E (α-tocopherol) is the primary lipid-soluble antioxidant, protecting cell membranes from peroxidative damage by scavenging free radicals. Deficiency syndromes include white muscle disease (nutritional muscular dystrophy affecting skeletal and cardiac muscle), exudative diathesis in poultry (capillary damage causing subcutaneous edema), and encephalomalacia (cerebellar necrosis in chicks). High dietary levels are used to enhance the oxidative stability of meat and improve immune function.
Vitamin K is required for the synthesis of blood-clotting factors. Deficiency causes prolonged clotting time and hemorrhage. Hindgut microbial synthesis generally meets requirements except in young animals, those on antibiotic therapy, or consumption of vitamin K antagonists (in moldy sweet clover).
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Water-soluble vitamins play essential roles in animal nutrition, serving primarily as coenzymes in metabolism. Unlike fat-soluble vitamins, they are not stored extensively in the body and must be supplied regularly through the diet. These vitamins—including the B-complex group and vitamin C—are vital for energy production, red blood cell formation, nervous system function, and antioxidant defense. Because excess amounts are excreted in urine, consistent intake is necessary to maintain optimal health and performance.
The B vitamins function as coenzymes in energy metabolism, protein metabolism, and cell replication. Because they are not stored appreciably, daily intake is essential for monogastrics. Ruminants and hindgut fermenters synthesize B vitamins through microbial activity.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is synthesized from glucose by most mammals except primates and guinea pigs. It functions in collagen synthesis, as an antioxidant, and in neurotransmitter synthesis. Livestock typically do not require dietary vitamin C, though supplementation during stress may provide benefits.