Essential Vitamins and Minerals: Functions and Sources

Vitamin A - Function

Functions in vision (retinal-brain signaling); antioxidant; supports growth and epithelial integrity.

Vitamin A - Deficiency

Night blindness, xerophthalmia, retained placenta, blind/uncoordinated neonates.

Vitamin A - Sources

Green feeds, fresh grass, liver, milk, cod liver oil.

Vitamin D - Function

Anti-rachitic vitamin; regulates calcium and phosphorus metabolism; bone mineralization.

Vitamin D - Deficiency

Rickets in young, osteomalacia in adults.

Vitamin D - Sources

Synthesized by UV exposure; dietary sources: milk, green grass.

Vitamin E - Function

Antioxidant; protects cell membranes; supports reproduction and muscular function.

Vitamin E - Deficiency

Muscular dystrophy, reproductive problems.

Vitamin E - Sources

Cereal grains, prepared hays.

Vitamin K - Function

Essential for blood clotting; activates prothrombin; anti-hemorrhagic.

Vitamin K - Deficiency

Hemorrhage, prolonged blood clotting.

Vitamin K - Sources

Green forages, well-cured hay, microbial synthesis in intestines.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) - Function

Coenzyme in carbohydrate metabolism; supports nervous function.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) - Deficiency

Weakness, anorexia, stunted growth.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) - Sources

Cereal grains, rice bran.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) - Function

Coenzyme in protein and energy metabolism; part of flavoproteins.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) - Deficiency

Dermatitis, slowed growth.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) - Sources

Milk, green forages, hay.

Vitamin B3 (Niacin) - Function

Essential for CHO, CHON, and fat metabolism; part of NAD/NADP.

Vitamin B3 (Niacin) - Deficiency

Dermatitis, retarded growth.

Vitamin B3 (Niacin) - Sources

Derived from tryptophan; not found in cereal grains.

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) - Function

Component of Coenzyme A; needed in metabolism of CHO, fats, and proteins.

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) - Deficiency

"Goose-stepping" gait in pigs, poor growth.

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) - Sources

Widely distributed in various feeds.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) - Function

Coenzyme in amino acid and fatty acid metabolism.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) - Deficiency

Anemia, convulsions, poor growth.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) - Sources

Feeds of vegetable origin.

Vitamin B7 (Biotin) - Function

Involved in carboxylation reactions and fatty acid synthesis.

Vitamin B7 (Biotin) - Deficiency

Dermatitis, weight loss; caused by avidin in raw egg white.

Vitamin B7 (Biotin) - Sources

Intestinal microbial synthesis; feeds unless bound by avidin.

Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid) - Function

Involved in DNA and purine synthesis; transfers single carbon units.

Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid) - Deficiency

Anemia, growth retardation, poor hatchability.

Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid) - Sources

Cereals, milk, yeast.

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) - Function

Coenzyme in propionate metabolism and RBC formation.

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) - Deficiency

Pernicious anemia, emaciation.

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) - Sources

Meat/fish meals; requires cobalt in ruminants.

Choline - Function

Essential for methyl group transfer, liver fat metabolism, nerve transmission.

Choline - Deficiency

Fatty liver, poor growth, perosis in chicks.

Choline - Sources

Yeast, liver, cereals.

Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) - Function

Growth factor for rumen microorganisms synthesizing vitamins.

Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) - Deficiency

Disrupts microbial vitamin synthesis.

Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA)

Produced by microbes in rumen.

Vitamin C - Function

Anti-stress vitamin; important in collagen synthesis and immune function.

Vitamin C - Deficiency

Poor collagen support, stress sensitivity.

Vitamin C - Sources

Most animals synthesize it; primates need dietary intake.

Calcium (Ca) - Function

Main component of bones and teeth; muscle contraction, blood clotting.

Calcium (Ca) - Deficiency

Rickets, osteomalacia.

Calcium (Ca) - Sources

Legume forages, oyster shell, limestone.

Phosphorus (P) - Function

Bone formation, part of ATP and enzyme systems; acid-base regulation.

Phosphorus (P) - Deficiency

Poor growth, bone weakness.

Phosphorus (P) - Sources

Animal products, calcium phosphates, phytates in plants.

Magnesium (Mg) - Function

Enzyme activator in energy metabolism; structural component of bones.

Magnesium (Mg) - Deficiency

Hypomagnesemia, grass tetany.

Magnesium (Mg) - Sources

Brans, yeast, vegetable proteins; Mg oxide in premix.

Potassium (K) - Function

Osmotic regulation, acid-base balance, muscle excitability.

Potassium (K) - Deficiency

Poor growth, weakness, tetany.

Potassium (K) - Sources

Feeds of plant origin.

Sodium (Na) - Function

Main extracellular cation; involved in acid-base balance, nerve conduction.

Sodium (Na) - Deficiency

Reduced growth, poor nutrient absorption.

Sodium (Na) - Sources

Salt, animal-based feeds.

Chlorine (Cl) - Function

Component of HCl in stomach; acid-base regulation.

Chlorine (Cl) - Deficiency

Alkalosis due to excess bicarbonate circulation.

Chlorine (Cl) - Sources

Common salt (NaCl).

Sulfur (S) - Function

Synthesis of sulfur amino acids, vitamins (thiamine, biotin), and coenzymes.

Sulfur (S) - Deficiency

Protein synthesis issues, especially in ruminants using NPN.

Sulfur (S) - Sources

Protein-rich feeds, inorganic sulfur.

Iron (Fe) - Function

Part of hemoglobin, cytochromes, and myoglobin.

Iron (Fe) - Deficiency

Anemia, poor oxygen transport.

Iron (Fe) - Sources

Plant sources, fish meal, meat meal.

Iodine (I) - Function

Component of thyroid hormones (T3, T4); regulates metabolism.

Iodine (I) - Deficiency

Goiter, poor reproduction.

Iodine (I) - Sources

Trace in many feeds, often supplemented.

Copper (Cu) - Function

Enzyme cofactor in oxidative metabolism; iron utilization.

Copper (Cu) - Deficiency

Anemia, depigmentation, poor growth.

Copper (Cu) - Sources

Most feeds naturally contain copper.

Manganese (Mn) - Function

Enzyme activator; important for bone growth and reproduction.

Manganese (Mn) - Deficiency

Perosis, skeletal malformation, infertility.

Manganese (Mn) - Sources

Rice bran, wheat pollard.

Cobalt (Co) - Function

Required for synthesis of vitamin B12 in ruminants.

Cobalt (Co) - Deficiency

Anemia, emaciation, poor appetite.

Cobalt (Co) - Sources

Mineral supplements; trace in feeds.

Zinc (Zn) - Function

Component of enzymes like carboxypeptidases and thymidine kinase.

Zinc (Zn) - Deficiency

Parakeratosis, poor growth, joint swelling.

Zinc (Zn) - Sources

Plant and animal feed sources.

Selenium (Se) - Function

Component of glutathione peroxidase; prevents oxidative damage.

Selenium (Se) - Deficiency

Myopathy, exudative diathesis in poultry.

Selenium (Se) - Sources

Depends on soil; plants, grains.

Molybdenum (Mo) - Function

Cofactor in xanthine oxidase, sulfite oxidase, aldehyde oxidase.

Molybdenum (Mo) - Deficiency

Rare; may interfere with copper metabolism.

Molybdenum (Mo) - Sources

Trace amounts in various feeds.