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Vitamin in Ruminants Nutrition
Vitamin in Ruminants Nutrition
Vitamin in Ruminants Nutrition
References
1. Chapter 7 Dairy NRC 2001
2. Chapter 6 Beef NRC 1996
Vitamins
Organic compounds required in trace amounts for
biological processes
Vital amine
Fat soluble
A, D, E, and K
Absorbed with lipids
Water soluble
C, B family
Vitamins
Fat soluble
Vitamins A, D, E and K
Water soluble
Thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid,
biotin, folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin C, choline
Rancid fats
Destroys vitamins A, D, and E
Thiamin antagonists
Thiaminase - may develop in the rumen
Amprolium blocks absorption
Sulfur may destroy thiamin in the rumen
Situations for Supplementing Vitamins
Vitamin A (Retinol)
Vitamin of most practical importance in ruminant feeds.
Deficiency most likely:
High concentrate feeds (low forage)
Large amounts of fermented feeds
Mature - drought pastures
Long stored feeds
Sunlight, air, high temperatures
Heavily processed feeds
Kindney
25-hydroxy-vit D3 1, 25-dihydroxy-vit D3
Active form of vitamin D
Active on skeleton and intestine
Vitamin D from UV exposure
Active Vit D3
Vitamin D3
Low blood Ca (or P) increases parathyroid hormone
secretion
Parathyroid hormone increases production of
1,25-dihydroxy-vit D3 in kidney
Increases resorption of bone Ca and P
Involved in:
Absorption of Ca and P and mobilization of Ca
and P from bone
Regulation of blood Ca and P
Immune cell function
Reproduction of males and females
Vitamin D - Ruminants
Deficiency
Rickets in calves
Swollen and stiff joints
Reduced feed intake
Tetany
Weak bones
Vitamin D can be toxic
High blood Ca
Calcification of soft tissues
Loss of appetite
Vitamin D not stored in the body in any quantity
Vitamin D - Requirements
Requirement IU/kg Feed DM
All beef cattle 275
Growing lambs 185
Gestating ewes 216
Lactating ewes 148
Lactating dairy 30 IU/kg body wt
Dry pregnant cows 30 IU/kg body wt
Generally recognized as more than required