Requirement of the Baby Pig for Vitamin B12 Fed as a Concentrate

Abstract

Favorable growth responses were obtained when sufficiently high levels of a vitamin B₁₂ concentrate were added to the basal alpha-protein diet, which is low in vitamin B₁₂. When 50 micrograms of vitamin B₁₂ per Kg. of dry matter of the diet were fed, optimum growth rates were obtained. The addition of more vitamin B₁₂ concentrate did not result in a further growth response. Even the highest levels of vitamin B₁₂ concentrate fed did not induce completely normal hematopoiesis in 77 days of observation, as indicated by an abnormally high total erythroid percentage in the bone marrow. Gross symptoms which might be attributed to the deficiency existing in the basal diet were hyper-irritability, posterior incoordination, voice failure, and pain in the rear quarters. Copyright © . .