Essential vitamins in ruminants

Abstract

Ruminants are able to synthesise all the B vitamins and vitamin K in their rumen. Pasture land provides them with an abundance of carotenes (pro-vitamin A) and vitamin E, wheras direct sun contact, or indirect contact from hay, assures a good supply of vitamin D. Traditionnally, the risk of deficiency is limited principally to vitamin A at the end of winter. At present, however, intensified methods of animal production together with the evolution of feeding and raising methods and the greater demand for health and quality of products impose extensive supplement additions. These include all the liposoluble vitamins and even certain B vitamins. These take into consideration certain indications such as fertility (A), immunity (A and E), prevention of placenta retention and myodystrophies (E and selenium), puerperale hypocalcaemiaes (D), necrosis of the cerebral cortex (polyencephalomalacia) when ruminal acidosis occurs (B1) and stimulation of the digestive microflora and the combat against ketose (PP).