Studies of Vitamin B12, Choline and Related Factors in the Diets of Chicks

Abstract

Choline deficiency as produced by a purified diet was studied in chicks which were also deficient in vitamin B₁₂. The requirement of choline for maximum growth was found to be greater in the absence of vitamin B₁₂ than in its presence. However, the amount of choline required for the prevention of perosis was not decreased by supplying vitamin B₁₂. Betaine did not have a marked effect when added to diets containing an insufficient level of choline. A methionine-deficient diet was fed to vitamin B₁₂-deficient chicks and no evidence of a sparing effect of vitamin B₁₂ on the methionine requirement was noted under the experimental conditions encountered. Choline deficiency was not encountered on a diet of natural foods containing a high level of soybean meal.