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CHEMICALS SUMMARY PAGE

Vitamin A:

Summary Information
Classification Chemicals / Gross Nutrients, Vitamins, Fatty Acid & Enzymes / Type:

(This chemicals section is currently predominantly used in Wildpro to link different data types and demonstrate inter-relationships. It does not contain detailed information on the chemical itself.)
Alternative Names Retinol, Isotretinoin, Tretinoin
Notes
  • A major component of visual pigments in the retina (in the form retinal (vitamin A aldehyde), and is required for a variety of essential processes including morphogenesis in embryonic development, maintenance of epithelial tissues, glycoprotein synthesis, mucus production, bone growth and immunity (B32.3.w23, B120).
  • Recommended levels for Pekin ducks are 8000 i.u./kg feed (starter), 5000 i.u./kg feed (grower/finisher), 10,000 IU/kg feed (breeder) (B13.46.w1).
  • Levels for birds generally vary from 2000 IU/kg for domestic chicks to 13,000 IU/kg for quail (B16.19.w1, B35.13.w5).
  • Important sources include fish-liver oil, and precursors (carotenes) in green plants and yellow seeds (B10.14.w19).
  • Vitamin-A deficient grains tend to be those other than yellow maize (corn). (J1.28.w2, J1.31.w5, B15).
  • Quickly destroyed by oxidation during storage, unless suitable antioxidant is added (B10.14.w19).
Administration

Dogs: 

  • 10,000 - 100,000 IU intramuscularly repeated after three days (total of no more than two doses), or 10,000 IU orally every 24 hours for three days. In the treatment of hypovitaminosis A. (B546)

Cats: 

  • 10,000 - 100,000 IU intramuscularly repeated after three days (total of no more than two doses), or 10,000 IU orally every 24 hours for three days. In the treatment of hypovitaminosis A. (B546)

Lagomorphs - Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus - Domestic rabbit:

  • 500 - 1,000 IU/kg intramuscularly once. (B546, B601.15.w15)
Deficiency diseases include:

For further diseases in waterfowl associated with vitamin A levels, see below.

Taxa Groups (hyperlinked if included as Wildpro volumes) containing host species which have been recorded as affected by this chemical.
Associated Waterfowl Diseases Vitamin A Deficiency Waterfowl Disease Summary Growth retardation, weakness and nodular oesophageal lesions.
Waterfowl in which the associated disease has been recorded.
Bumblefoot Waterfowl Disease Summary Inflammation and bacterial infection of the connective tissues of the foot, linked to abrasive surfaces.
Waterfowl in which the associated disease has been recorded.
Congenital Abnormalities (Congenital malformation) Waterfowl Disease Summary Abnormal development of downies during incubation - present at hatching.
Waterfowl in which the associated disease has been recorded.
Early Embryonic Death (Early Embryonic mortalitity) Waterfowl Disease Summary
  • Death early in incubation, usually considered to be within the first week of incubation or the first third of incubation.
  • Eggs may appear to be "clear" i.e. no development detected, or may show a "blood ring". If incubated for some time they may be addled.

(J23.29.w1, B42, B106, B116.11.w2)
Waterfowl in which the associated disease has been recorded. Species not specified.
Gout (Visceral gout, Acute toxic nephritis syndrome, Articular gout) Waterfowl Disease Summary Abnormal accumulation and deposition of urates within the body.
Waterfowl in which the associated disease has been recorded.

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