Vitamins and Minerals introduction Flashcards
is vitamin/mineral nutrition important
- critical for the health and growth of animals
- it is important to know what role vitamins and minerals play in animal growth and physiology
what are fat soluble vitamins
- thiamin (B1)
- riboflavin (B2)
- niacin (B3)
- pantothenate (B5)
- biotin (B7)
- folic acid (B9)
- vit B12 (cobalamin)
- pyridoxine (B6)
- vit c (ascorbate)
what are fat soluable vitamins
- vitamins A D E K
what are common features of mineral nutrition
absorption: most microminerals form salt and other compounds which are relatively insoluable ( I and Se are exceptions) - not readily absorbed
transport: minerals often require carrier proteins for transport in the body ( synthesis of these proteins is important in regulation of mineral metabolism)
what is chelation
- metal ions are reactive is they are chelated they will oxidise
- metals form complexes with a well defined number of organis ligands ( can consist of neutral or anionic chemical groups, proteins and animo acids are common ligands
how are minerals stored
- have significant storage so deficiency will not occur unless abset from diet from weeks to years (exception Na and K)
- macrominerals (Ca P Mg) stored in bones
- microminerals (Fe Cu Zn Se Cr and others) stored in liver
- often associated with specific storage proteins
what are vitamins
- organic nutrients required in small quantities for a variety of biochemical functions
- generally, cannot be synthesized by the body and must be supplied in the diet
- vitamin c is synthesised in liver by some animals but not enough
what are water soluble vitamins
- all B vitamins are absorbed by passive absorbtion at high levels in the gut and by sodium dependent active transport at low levels in the gut
- excesses are excreted in the urine
- toxicity is rarely problem - but possible
- storage is limited (apart from cobalamin B12) and they must be provided regularly
what is the difference between monogastrics and ruminants
- rumen bacteria can synthesize B vitamins
- monogastrics have some production of B vitamins in the ceca and hindgut but absorbtion in hindgut is limited
water soluability vitamines in horses
-normal horses can produce most of the B complex vitamins in adequate amounts in its intestinal tract
- young growing foals and horses under stress conditions (sick very hard work and racing) may benefit from B vitamin supplements
rabbits and coprophagy
- rabbits practice coprophagy, two kinds of fecal matter one hard and one soft
- cosumed directly from the anus
- fermentation in the cecum and the practice of coprophagy provides the necessary aount of most B vitamins
what are fat soluable vitamins
- non polar hydrophobic molecules
- all are handled by the GI system in the same way as dietary fat
- after absorbtion fat soluable vitamins are transported to the liver in chylomicrons
- in contrast to water-soluable vitamins, fat soluable vitamins can be stored in the body : vitamins A D E K stored in liver , kidney
- vitamin E stored in adipose tissue
- not excreted in urine ; appear in bile and excreted in feces
- because the body can store excess F-S vitamins, toxicity can occur (Vit A D)
- vitamin D is actually not a true vitamin
electroyles
- maintain osmotic and electrolytic environment in body fluids (maintaining protien function)
- maintain NaK gradient between intracellular and extracellular environment
- transport in nerve and muscel function
- transport of molecules across cell membrane
what are electrolyte deficiency symptoms
- Na: lethargy, loss of appetite, muscle weakness respiratory depression and areest
- K : elevated blood pressure, muscle weakness, respiratory depression and cardiac arrest
what are electrolyte toxicity symptoms
Na: dehydration, seizure and coma
K: cardiac arrhythmia and death
