Vitamin B-12 in Amino Acid Metabolism.

Abstract

In 2 expts., Single Comb White Leghorn chicks were grown on corn-soybean practical type rations, deficient in animal protein factor, with and without added vit. B12 (Merck APF supplement No. 3). Growth, food consumption, and thyroid wt. were recorded. Blood was analyzed for non-protein N, alpha amino N, erythrocytes, total amino acids, and arginine, lysine, methionine, tryptophan, histidine, threonine and valine. Vit. B12 supplementation of the diets led to faster growth, more efficient feed utilization, and reduced concns. in the blood of non-protein N and the individual amino acids. Vit. B12 appears to enhance utilization of circulating amino acids for building body tissues.