Reevaluation of the Metabolic Essentiality of the Vitamins - Review -

Abstract

In recent years a great deal of information has accumulated for livestock on vitamin function, metabolism and supplemental needs. The role of the antioxidant "vitamins" (carotenoids, vitamin E and vitamin C) in immunity and health of livestock has been a fruitful area of research. These nutrients play important roles in animal health by inactivating harmful free radicals produced through normal cellular activity and from various stressors. Both in vitro and in vivo studies showed that these antioxidant vitamins generally enhance different aspects of cellular and noncellular immunity. A compromised immune system will result in reduced animal production efficiency through increased susceptibility to diseases, thereby leading to increased animal morbidity and mortality. Vitamin E has been shown to increase performance of feedlot cattle and to increase immune response for ruminant health, including being beneficial for mastitis control. Vitamin E given to finishing cattle at higher than National Research Council (NRC) requirements dramatically maintained the red color (oxymyoglobin) compared with the oxidized metmyoglobin of beef. Under commercial livestock and poultry production conditions, vitamin allowances higher than NRC requirements may be needed to allow optimum performance. Generally, the optimum vitamin supplementation level is the quantity that achieves the best growth rate, feed utilization, health (including immune competency), and provides adequate body reserves.