Functions (vit. D, Ca, and/or P):

¯ Ca in blood triggers thyroid gland to secrete PTH, which activates hydroxylation in kidney. PTH also mobilization of Ca from bone. 99% body Ca stored in bone; 70-80% body P stored in bone

Soft tissues -	Ca important for blood clotting, neuromuscular activity, cofactor
	P important for high energy phosphate bonds cell membranes (phospholipids)

Deficiency symptoms:

1. Rickets - young animals - bones do not calcify Þ flexible

2. Osteomalacia - adult - demineralization of bones Þ easy to fracture

3. Milk Fever - older/high producing dairy cows - onset of lactation, ¯ Ca in serum

Vitamin E (the tocopherols, "anti-sterility vitamin)

No provitamins

Function:

Anti oxidant - protects polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in cell membranes from damage by free radicals (rancidity)

Free radical: compound containing an unpaired electron attacks the -CH₂- between the unsaturated p bonds of PUFA

Vit. E prevents peroxidation by donating H to the free radicals

Peroxide + R-C=C- CH₂-C=C-R ® R-C=C- CH*-C=C-R + peroxide-H

R-C=C- CH*-C=C-R ® (O₂)® R-C=C- (CHOO*)-C=C-R

Current research:

1. Anticarcinogenic compound = initiation & promotion of cancer done by free radicals (Environmental pollutants; smog, ozone, NO, NO₂ also cigarette smoke contains free radicals)

2. Slowing the aging process - protect cells from damage caused by free radicals that form during the aging process.

Deficiency symptoms: - break down cellular membranes - composed of phospholipids and PUFA

1. Muscle cells break down; muscular dystrophy, stiff lamb disease, white muscle disease (loose myoglobin)

2. Rupture of blood vessels Þ accumulation of fluid

Brain =	Encephalomalcia - crazy chick disease - stroke??
Breast =	chickens, exudative diathesis - Dolly Parton disease

permanent sterility in males due to ¯ integrity of reproductive tissue

Vitamin K (the quinines, "anti-hemorrhagic" vitamin)

No provitamins

Active forms:

Phylloquinone - natural form in plants

Menaquinone - form synthesized by rumen bacteria

Menadione - synthetic

 Functions: Blood clotting - required in synthesis of prothrombin - a clotting factor

Deficiency symptoms:

Increased blood clotting time - internal hemorrhaging - sweet clover disease, moldy corn/sweet clover hay.

Karl P. Link

Dicoumarol- produced by molds - a vitamin K antagonist that prevents prothrombin formation - internal bleeding ® death

Warfarin- Rat poison - similar to dicoumarol - rodents die of internal bleeding.