Animal Nutrition

• Basic organic compounds in animal nutrition include carbohydrates, lipids, and protein
• Animals require a supply of vitamins, minerals, and water as additional nutrient requirements
• Essential fatty acids and amino acids can be obtained either from gut symbionts or direct food sources
• Water-soluble vitamins are regularly consumed
• Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) are readily stored in the body
• Minerals are needed for ion exchange, body components, and ATP production
• Elements and their functions in animals:

  • Calcium: Component of bone and teeth; involved in blood clotting, muscle, and nerve function
  • Chlorine: Formation of HCI in the stomach; acid-base balance; and nerve function
  • Copper: Component of enzymes involved in the synthesis of melanin, hemoglobin, and iron metabolism
  • Fluorine: Maintenance of bone and teeth
  • Iodine: Component of thyroid hormone
  • Iron: Component of hemoglobin, myoglobin, cytochromes, and electron carriers
  • Magnesium: Muscle and nerve function; coenzyme
  • Phosphorus: Component of bone, ATP, DNA, and RNA
• • Potassium: Acid-base balance, water balance, and neural function
  • Sulfur: Component of body proteins
  • Zinc: Components of digestive enzymes
• • B6 (pyridoxine): Coenzyme in amino acid metabolism; normal brain development and function, essential hormones production
  • B5 Pantothenic acid: Part of coenzyme-A for carbohydrate and lipid synthesis and breakdown of fats and carbohydrates for energy; red blood cells production; sex and stress-related hormones
  • B9 Folic acid: Coenzyme in nucleic acid synthesis and amino acid metabolism; proper brain function, mental, and emotional health
  • B7 Biotin: Coenzyme in carbon dioxide fixation, converts food into glucose to produce energy, activates protein/amino acid metabolism
• • B12 cyanocobalamin: Coenzyme in nucleic acid metabolism; healthy nerve cells; helps in the production of DNA and RNA
  • C: Synthesis of intercellular substances; aids in resistance to infection, carbohydrate metabolism
• Vitamins and their functions in animals:

  • A (retinol): Synthesis of retinal pigments; regulation of bone cell activity, maintain healthy epithelial tissues
  • D (calciferol): Involved in calcium absorption, bone growth, and mineralization
  • E (tocopherol): Antioxidant
  • K (phylloquinone): Blood clotting
  • B1 (thiamin): Coenzyme in energy production; maintains the normal function of the nervous system
  • B2 (riboflavin): Coenzyme in cellular respiration; helps convert food (carbohydrates) into fuel (glucose)
  • B3 Niacin: Energy production, DNA repair and synthesis
• Obtained the food, physical digestion, enzymatic digestion, and passage through the gut wall