Animal Nutrition Exam 3 - Fat Soluble Vitamins

Fat-soluble vitamins

A, D, E, K

Storage location

Liver and adipose tissue

Absorption

With dietary fat via chylomicrons

Deficiency rate

Slow (due to storage)

Toxicity risk

High (especially A and D)

Vitamin A active form

Retinol

Vitamin A plant precursor

Beta-carotene

Animals that cannot convert beta-carotene

Cats

Vitamin A main function

Vision and epithelial maintenance

Vitamin A additional functions

Bone growth, reproduction, immune protection

Best source of Vitamin A

Liver

Vitamin A storage form

Retinyl esters in liver

Vitamin A deficiency

Night blindness, poor growth, weak immunity

Vitamin A toxicity

Hypervitaminosis A (can be fatal)

Vitamin D name

Sunshine vitamin

Vitamin D forms

D2 (ergocalciferol), D3 (cholecalciferol)

Vitamin D production

Synthesized in skin via UV light

Vitamin D function

Regulates calcium and phosphorus

Vitamin D role

Bone mineralization

Vitamin D deficiency

Rickets, osteomalacia

Vitamin D toxicity

Hypercalcemia and tissue damage

Vitamin E main function

Antioxidant

Vitamin E protects

Cell membranes

Vitamin E most active form

Alpha-tocopherol

Vitamin E additional role

Supports reproduction

Vitamin E sources

Plant oils and egg yolks

Vitamin E toxicity

Least toxic fat-soluble vitamin

Vitamin K function

Blood clotting (prothrombin synthesis)

Vitamin K forms

K1 (plants), K2 (bacteria), K3 (synthetic)

Vitamin K active form

K2

Vitamin K deficiency

Prolonged bleeding

Vitamin K deficiency causes

Antibiotics, warfarin, mold toxins

Vitamin K toxicity

K3 can cause anemia