Vitamins Flashcards
What are vitamins?
-Essential organic nutrients, required in small amounts
-Essential for growth, reproduction, maintenance and lactation
Can most vitamins be made by the body?
No! must be acquired through diet
What kind of vitamins do monogastrics need that are not synthesized by the body?
A, E, K, C, B
What kind of vitamin do rumen bacteria need?
B vitamins
Where is vitamin D synthesized?
In the skin on exposure to sunlight
Which vitamins are fat soluble (stored in tissues)?
A, D, E, K
Which vitamins are water soluble (minimal or no tissue storage)?
B, C
What is IU?
International Units. Measures biological activity or effects of a substance
What is IU used to quantify?
-Vitamins
-Hormones
-Some meds
-Vaccines
Can the IU of different substances be compared to one another?
No, can only compare IU of same substances
What are examples of vitamin A?
Retinol
Retinal (idk how this is different from retinol)
Retinoic acid
What are some sources of vitamin A?
-Plants (corn, fresh forages)
-Animal products (fish oil, liver, egg yolk)
Which species can’t convert beta-carotene to active vitamin A?
Cats
Ferrets
Carnivorous reptiles
Amphibians
What are functions of vitamin A?
-Vision (light sensitivity of retina)
-Formation of epithelial tissues and mucous membranes
-Immune responses
-Maintenance, growth, repro
Do all animals require a source of vitamin A?
Absolutely they do
What are some signs of vit A deficiency?
-Loss of night vision**
-Blindness**
-Abnormal cranial bone shaping from increase in CSF pressure (can cause syncope and convulsions)
-Atrophy of secretory epithelial cells –> placenta degeneration (no tummy punch needed), pathological dryness of cornea and conjunctiva
What does a vit A deficiency look like in adult pigs?
Rough dry coat with shaggy appearance
What does vit A deficiency look like in a horse?
Dry scaly hooves with vertical cracks
What does vit A deficiency look like in growing pigs?
Incoordination followed by posterior paralysis, dry cornea, blindness, poor litters, dry skin
What does vit A deficiency look like in cattle?
Rough hair coat, swollen legs, slow calf growth, infertility, reproductive disorders, blindness
Do animals usually respond well to treatment for vit A deficiency?
Yes, except if it was a chronic deficiency. Then it might be irreversible
Will cattle with blindness from a vit A deficiency respond to treatment?
No :(
What can long term ingestion of vit A lead to?
Toxicity, as it is not readily excreted
What are the 2 forms of pro-vitamin D?
-Ergocalciferol (D2)
-Cholecalciferol (D3)
Where is ergocalciferol (D2) usually found?
-Fungi
-Converted vitamin D2 in sun-dried forages
Where is cholecalciferol (D3) usually found?
-In animal products (fish, cod liver oil, egg yolk
-Formed from precursor in the skin
Which species does not obtain vitamin D with exposure to sunlight?
Cats
Which organs are involved in vit D conversion?
Liver and kidneys
What is vit D necessary for?
Proper calcium absorption
Which hormone has a role in low blood calcium reaction?
Parathyroid hormone
What are signs of vit D deficiency in all young animals?
Rickets
What are signs of vit D deficiency in young cattle?
-Swollen knees and hocks
-Arching of the back
What are signs of vit D deficiency in pigs?
-Enlarged joints
-Broken bones
-Joint stiffness
-Possible paralysis
-Poor growth
What are signs of vit D deficiency in poultry?
-Bones/beak soft and rubbery
-Poor growth
-Reduced egg production and poor eggshell quality
What can vit D toxicity cause?
-Abnormal calcium deposition in soft tissues
-Brittle bones
-Loss of kidney function due to severe calcification of renal tubules (aka death)
In what kind of animals is it uncommon for toxic concentrations of fat-soluble vitamins?
Livestock
What are sources of vitamin E?
-Cereal grains
-Protein concentrates
-Oilseeds
-Fresh forages
What is utilization of vitamin E dependent on?**
adequate selenium (glutathione peroxidase)
Why are animal products a poor source of vitamin E?
Its not stored in the animal body in large amounts
What are the functions of vit E?
-Cofactor with selenium in glutathione peroxidase (gets rid of free radicals and prevents breakdown of cell membranes)*
-IgG production*
-Erythrocyte integrity
-Prevention of oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids (oxidative rancidity)