Vitamins

Due to the high tendency of these oils to oxidize—which places a significant burden on the metabolism of the animals being fed—they are now rarely used. Many plant-based feed ingredients contain provitamins (carotenes) of vitamin A, with green plants in particular being a rich source. These can be converted into vitamin A in the animal’s body.

Vitamin A is often referred to as the “epithelial protection vitamin” because it protects the lining tissues (epithelial tissues) of the respiratory, digestive, and reproductive systems from potential infections by supporting the formation of mucous membranes. A deficiency in vitamin A can also damage the sensory organs. A clear sign of deficiency is the reduced secretion of tear glands, which can lead to night blindness and even dryness of the eye. In young animals, vitamin A deficiency can result in noticeable growth disturbances. Additionally, a lack of vitamin A weakens the body’s immune defenses against infectious diseases, caused by structural changes in the epithelium. The respiratory tract and gastrointestinal system are particularly affected, which is why young animals suffering from vitamin A deficiency often develop pneumonia and diarrhea.

Vitamin A can be stored in the liver of animals. Storage capacity is generally lower in young animals than in adults, making young animals more susceptible to vitamin A deficiency and related illnesses.

Carotenoids are exclusively of plant origin. Oxidation products of carotenoids (such as xanthophylls and zeaxanthin) are often used as natural colorants—for example, in laying hen feed to color egg yolks or in ornamental bird care to enhance feather pigmentation. Carotenoids are widespread in nature and are responsible for yellow to red hues. They are found in flowers, green plant parts, corn kernels, tomatoes, carrots, oranges, as well as in the plumage of birds (e.g., flamingos) and in fish, crustaceans, and starfish.

Today’s synthetically produced carotenoids are identical to natural substances and are processed by the animal’s body in the same way as natural carotenoids.

The natural occurrence of Vitamin D3, like Vitamin A, is limited to animal-based feed and is primarily found in marine oils. Vitamin D2 is only found in small amounts in living plants, but it is formed in plants when they are dried under sunlight.

The main function of Vitamin D is to regulate calcium and phosphorus metabolism. In terms of its anti-rickets effects, Vitamin D2 and Vitamin D3 are almost equivalent in mammals. However, when fed to poultry, Vitamin D3 has approximately 30 times stronger effects than Vitamin D2. For this reason, all NEKTON products use Vitamin D3, as it also allows for a greater storage capacity in the liver compared to Vitamin D2.

Vitamin D is involved in the calcification processes of bones, plays a significant role in regulating calcium and phosphorus levels in blood plasma, and promotes calcium absorption and the calcification of eggshells in birds.

Vitamin D Deficiency: Deficiency symptoms due to a lack of Vitamin D primarily occur in animals that grow up in environments with little sunlight, are insufficiently provided with calcium and phosphates, or have an unfavorable ratio of these two elements in their feed.

Vitamin D deficiency leads to reduced bone growth and rickets in young animals. In adult animals, a prolonged Vitamin D deficiency can cause bone softening, known as osteomalacia.

Vitamin E influences the overall metabolism of animals as well as their fertility. It performs protective functions for other substances, such as Vitamin A, which is better absorbed under the protection of Vitamin E. Vitamin E is especially important for the functioning of the nervous system, muscles, and endocrine glands (pituitary gland, adrenal cortex). The Vitamin E requirement of birds is relatively higher than that of mammals.

Vitamin E Deficiency: In cases of Vitamin E deficiency, degenerative changes occur in the skeletal muscles, heart muscle, connective tissue, vascular system, endocrine glands, and liver.

Animals with a Vitamin E-deficient diet are also very susceptible to infectious diseases. Adequate Vitamin E intake is crucial because organ damage resulting from a Vitamin E deficiency is irreversible and cannot be reversed by later higher doses of Vitamin E.

Vitamin K promotes the production of prothrombin and other coagulation factors in the liver. A deficiency of Vitamin K reduces the blood’s clotting ability, so even minor injuries can lead to extensive bleeding. Therefore, Vitamin K is also referred to as the coagulation vitamin or clotting vitamin.

Vitamin K deficiency symptoms can occur if the synthesis by the intestinal flora is not sufficient, as may happen when antibiotics or sulfonamides are administered. The need for Vitamin K is significantly increased in such cases, so its supplementation during antibiotic or sulfonamide treatments should be mandatory. Especially breeding birds need to be supplied with adequate amounts of Vitamin K, as newly hatched chicks have only a very small reserve of Vitamin K in their livers if the vitamin content of the eggs was low.