Riboflavin

Functions: as a coenzyme in several enzyme systems. Is essential for intermediary metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids, and lipids. (FAD, FMN)

Deficiency:

General signs include: loss of appetite, impaired growth, reduced efficiency of feed utilization. Epithelial lesions and nervous disorders.

Animals: Most symptoms are species specific

Chicks = curled-toe paralysis. Resulting from myelin degeneration of nerves (sciatic nerve especially)

Hens, decreased egg production, and hatchability of eggs

Turkeys have severe dermatitis

Ducks = rapidly fatal

Dogs = weak and ataxic, dermatitis, hypoplastic anemia.

Swine grow slowly, and have dermatitis

Newborn calf = diarrhea, excessive salivation, alopecia.

Humans, usually after 3 to 4 months of being deprived

Symptoms include cheilosis (lesions of the lips), angular stimatitis (lesions in the corners of the mouth), glossitis (inflammation of the tongue), hyperemia ( amount of blood).

Often associated with chronic alcoholism.

Interesting note. Sub-clinical deficiency has been shown to enhance cellular resistance to malaria.

Niacin

Functions: as a coenzyme in several enzyme systems. Is essential for intermediary metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids, and lipids. (NADH, NADPH)

Niacin can be synthesized from tryptophan

Deficiency: Metabolic disorders in the skin and digestive systems. Dermititis, Diarrhea, and dementia (the 3-D’s).

Remember, Tryptophan can serve as a precursor; therefore, deficiency may not be the result of only a reduced intake of the vitamin itself, but also this amino acid.

Animals: species specific and accompanied by loss of appetite, poor growth, reduced feed efficiency.

Pigs and ducks are more sensitive to deficiency

Pigs have diarrhea, anemia, and degeneration of intestinal and nervous tissues.

Ducks have severely bowed and weakened legs and diarrhea.

Dogs have necrotic degeneration of the tongue and severe diarrhea.

Chickens have inflammation of the upper intestinal tract, dermatitis of the legs, reduced feather growth, and perosis (inflammation & misalignment of the hock).

Humans: changes in the gastrointestinal tract, nervous system, and skin (Pellagra).

Often associated with chronic alcoholism.

Hereditary disorders: 2 disorders as a result of impaired niacin function which can be successfully treated with increased doses of niacin – Schizophrenia and Hartnup disease (skin rash usually brought on by stress)

Pyrodoxine (B₆)

Functions: as a coenzyme in several enzyme systems. Is essential for nearly all reactions involved in amino acid metabolism (deaminases, transaminases, transferases)

Deficiency: General symptoms include retarded growth, dermatitis, epileptic-like convulsions, anemia, and partial alopecia (bladness). Often associated with chronic alcoholism.

Humans: 1950’s, young babies (1 to 4 months of age) would have seizures through out the day. The babies came from affluent families, and when brought to the hospital would stop seizures. It was discovered that a particular brand of infant formula was devoid of B₆.

Folate (Folic Acid)

Functions: as a coenzyme in several enzyme systems. Is essential for purine and pyrimidine synthesis (DNA & RNA).

Deficiency: General symptoms include: associated with nucleic acid synthesis è tissues with a rapid rate of cell growth or regeneration (epithelial lining of GI tract, epidermis, & bone marrow) are most affected.

Animals: symptoms include anemia (¯ hematopoiesis), listlessness, ¯ feed intake & growth rate, diarrhea & poor reproduction.

Humans:

Probably the most common vitamin deficiency in the world – infants, adolescents, elderly, and pregnant women are especially vulnerable.

Signs include macrocytic anemia, gastrointestinal lesions è malabsorption & diahrrea, weakness, forgetfulness, sleeplessness, sterility.

Often associated with chronic alcoholism.