Vitamin K2

Vitamin K2 Feed Grade

Vitamin K2 (menaquinone) is a lipid-soluble vitamin that plays an essential role in animal nutrition. It differs from vitamin K1 in its critical function of directing calcium to bone and eggshell tissues, making it an indispensable nutrient for modern livestock production .

Specifically, vitamin K2 activates osteocalcin, a protein that facilitates calcium deposition in bones and eggshells . While vitamin D3 supports calcium absorption from the intestine, vitamin K2 ensures that absorbed calcium is deposited into skeletal and shell tissues. Without adequate K2, calcium remains in the bloodstream, leading to poor bone development and weak eggshell quality. Studies have confirmed that vitamin K2 promotes osteoblast proliferation and alkaline phosphatase secretion, supporting skeletal health in poultry .

In addition to calcium metabolism, vitamin K2 also contributes to normal blood coagulation through the activation of clotting factors, helping to reduce bleeding-related mortality in young animals .

Vitamin K2 is available in various forms, with menaquinone-7 (MK-7) offering longer half-life and sustained biological activity compared to other vitamin K vitamers . It is widely used in poultry, swine, ruminant, and aquaculture operations.