iChecks enable direct, on-farm measurement of nutrient levels in blood and tissue samples in minutes, so that animal feeds and supplementation schedules can be optimized for improved animal health and other desired outcomes.
Reproductive disorders resulting from β-carotene deficiency bear significant costs for cattle breeders. These disorders account for ¼ – ½ of all herd culling. The majority of basic feedstuff for dairy cows is low in β-carotene. Maintaining high levels of blood β-carotene (>3.5 mg/L) in the immediate pre-calving period significantly improves fertility rates.
Reproductive disorders resulting from β-carotene deficiency bear significant costs for cattle breeders. These disorders account for ¼ – ½ of all herd culling. The majority of basic feedstuff for dairy cows is low in β-carotene. Maintaining high levels of blood β-carotene (>3.5 mg/L) in the immediate pre-calving period significantly improves fertility rates.
Reproductive disorders resulting from β-carotene deficiency bear significant costs for cattle breeders. These disorders account for ¼ – ½ of all herd culling. The majority of basic feedstuff for dairy cows is low in β-carotene. Maintaining high levels of blood β-carotene (>3.5 mg/L) in the immediate pre-calving period significantly improves fertility rates.
Carotenoids are added to poultry feed to enhance pigmentation and promote health as an antioxidant. The coloration of egg yolk can be predicted and controlled through the carotenoid content of poultry feed. Controlling this color is important, as varying colors are favored in each community and serve as a consumer determinant of quality.
Reproductive disorders resulting from β-carotene deficiency bear significant costs for cattle breeders. These disorders account for ¼ – ½ of all herd culling. The majority of basic feedstuff for dairy cows is low in β-carotene. Maintaining high levels of blood β-carotene (>3.5 mg/L) in the immediate pre-calving period significantly improves fertility rates.
Marbling is a major factor affecting meat quality and thus profitability for beef producers, processors, retailers, and restaurateurs. Marbling quality is positively correlated with lower vitamin A levels in the blood, while vitamin A supplementation is used by farmers to boost immunity.
Cattle farmers have a delicate balance to control. In the early stages of cattle fattening, vitamin A stimulates growth of fat cells. In the middle to late stages, vitamin A inhibits fat deposition. Therefore, feeding a vitamin A deficient diet during this stage stimulates marbling. For example, for Wagyu cattle starting at 19 months of age, and for the next 6-8 months, the recommended vitamin A concentration in blood is 30-50 IU/100 mL.
In order to ensure healthy cattle and high meat quality, vitamin A must be closely controlled at every stage of the cattle’s development.
β-carotene levels (as the precursor of vitamin A) should be kept low to avoid yellow-coloring of the marbled fat, as well as to prevent it from being a source of excess vitamin A.
Consumers prefer a pink-colored salmon flesh, which is found in wild salmon. The pink color is due to the accumulation of dietary carotenoids, especially astaxanthin. Adding astaxanthin to the feed of farmed salmon changes the color of the normally grey flesh of farmed salmon to pink.
Pork liver is a preferred component of pet food based on its low cost and taste. Pork liver is rich in vitamin A, a micronutrient critical to pet health and strictly regulated. Levels of vitamin A in pork livers vary greatly, creating a challenge for pet food producers requiring strict controls as high levels of vitamin A can be toxic to pets.
iCheck Fluoro to measure vitamin A levels in swine/pig blood Vitamin A as indicator for inflammation
iCheck Vitamin E to measure vitamin E levels in racing horses. Vitamine E deficiency is e.g leading to muscle wasting
iCheck Vitamin A to measure vitamin A levels in falcons. Vitamin A deficiency can lead to mouth wounds (squamous metaplasia)
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