VITAMINS

Vitamin A (retinyl acetate)

• Participates in the regeneration of the skin and mucous membranes.
• Participates in the regulation of the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins.
• Prevents disturbances in the growth of organs and tissues in the body of young animals.
• In adult animals, participates in the protective functions of the epithelium.
• Plays a special role in the development of visual function.

Vitamin A falls under the group of fat-soluble vitamins. It possesses proven effectiveness in combating diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and lungs. It is recommended in the diet of chickens, piglets and calves for prevention purposes.

Deficiency of vitamin A in the diet results in the following symptoms:

• Loss of appetite and diarrhoea;
• Inflammation of the eyes, worsening of night vision;
• Frequent cold-related diseases, pneumonia;
• Reproductive dysfunctions (passivity during estrus, death of embryos, formation of ovarian cysts in females, birth of dead or sick cubs).

Vitamin B3

Vitamin B3 (niacin, nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, vitamin PP) is a water soluble vitamin of the B group. Niacin is involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins, being an indispensable part of Coenzyme A (CoA). In particular, it participates in the oxidation and biosynthesis of fatty acids, oxidative decarboxylation of keto acids, the Krebs cycle, biosynthesis of steroids, neutral fats, etc. Vitamin B3 stimulates the formation of hormones and unimpaired function of the brain, and, together with other vitamins of group B, promotes the formation of skin lipids.

Niacin deficiency can occur in disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and liver disorders. Its deficiency causes growth retardation in young animals, hair depigmentation (partial discoloration) and skin dermatitis (if there is not enough biotin). Other consequences of vitamin B3 deficiency include deterioration of conditioned reflexes, disruption of reproductive cycles and reduction of the number of young brought forth.

Vitamin B4

Choline belongs to the vitamins of group B (vitamin B4). It is an integral part of phospholipids of lecithin and sphingomyelin, which are part of the structure of cell membranes. As one of the sources of methyl groups, choline facilitates the transformation of amino acids.

Functions of choline in a living body:

• Formation of acetylcholine, which conducts neural impulses;
• Regulation of fat metabolism in the liver (so-called lipotropic effect);
• Preservation of the structure of cells, as well as the normal maturation of the cartilage matrix of the bone.

Deficiency of choline in a living organism results in a disruption of metabolism, behavioural disorder, a decrease in appetite and growth retardation. In breeding stock birds it results in a decrease in egg-laying capacity and hatchability.