Description

B vitamins play an important role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Their deficiency in the diet can lead to many disorders. E.g.: vitamin B1 deficiency causes dwarfism, growth retardation, necrosis of the cerebral cortex (sheep, cattle), disturbances in water and sugar metabolism, and poor energy utilization. Vitamin B2 deficiency leads to diarrhea, stunted growth and poorer feed utilization; in poultry, paralytic curvature of the fingers (clenching into a fist). Lack of vitamin B6 in the diet causes charlotry, underdevelopment, skin lesions, damage to the liver, heart, nervous system, poor laying and hatchability. Vitamin B12 deficiency causes anemia, poor feed utilization, inflammatory skin lesions; in poultry, weaker plumage, reduced laying rate and increased embryonic mortality. Nicotinic acid is essential for the normal functioning of the digestive system and skin. Biotin deficiency causes fertility disorders, inflammatory changes in the skin and abnormalities in the development of skin products, and fatty liver and kidney syndrome in poultry. Lack of choline causes liver disorders, abnormal joint and bone development, and perosis in poultry. Vitamin K is involved in the process of blood clotting. Its deficiency leads to blood clotting disorders, bursting of blood vessels, hemorrhages.