Vitamin vitamin is a kind of trace organic substance necessary to maintain normal physiological functions and life activities of animals. It is also an important active substance to maintain animal health. It plays an indispensable role in animal growth, development and metabolism. Some substances are chemically similar to certain vitamins and can be converted into vitamins through simple metabolic reactions, known as “provitamins”. For example, beta-carotene can be converted into vitamin A and 7-dehydrocholesterol into vitamin D3.
The animal body is like a complex chemical plant, constantly carrying out various biochemical reactions, which are closely related to the catalytic action of biological enzymes. In order for an enzyme to be active, a coenzyme must be involved. Many vitamins are known to be coenzymes or components of coenzymes. Therefore, vitamin is an important substance to maintain and regulate normal metabolism of the body.
1. Adjustability
Vitamins are not components of organism tissues and cells, and do not produce energy. Their main role is to participate in the regulation of organism metabolism.
2. Trace
The vitamin requirement of animals is very small, and the daily requirement is usually calculated in milligrams (mg) or micrograms (μg).
3. Exogenous
Most vitamins cannot be made or are not made in sufficient quantities by animals and must often be obtained from animal feed.
4. Specificity
Once the lack of a certain vitamin, the animal will take on a unique disease.
