Beta-Carotene

Feed Additive for Feed Production

β-carotene to ensure / enhance animal fertility

Lucarotin® 10% Feed dissolves slowly in cold water, more rapidly in warm water (40°C) and finally disintegrates with the formation of a dispersion. The product is stabilized with ethoxyquine. The utilization of beta-carotene is dependent on the animal species and on the carotene and vitamin A supply status.

Beta-carotene has a provitamin A activity which is at maximum 2:1 for poultry and rats. For other species the exchange rate is lower. Maximum possible exchange rate is also depending on the vitamin A content of the ration.

β-Carotene occurs in nature, in particular in green plants. In addition to the varying amounts in individual plant feedstuffs, climate harvesting, degree of wilting, type of preservation (drying, ensiling) and storage time affect the content.

Investigations in recent years show that β-carotene has a positive effect on the fertility process of male and female cattle. Comparable investigations also exist for other animal species such as breeding mares, sows and rabbits. It was also possible to observe an increase in the powers of resistance against infectious rearing diseases in young animals. The utilization of β-carotene is dependent on the animal species and on the carotene and vitamin A supply status.

Deficiency symptoms:

A deficiency of β-carotene occurs during the keeping of animals indoors, and on feeding β-carotene-low feeds. Depending on the degree and duration of the deficit, the following deficiency symptoms can occur: