The Need for Pantothenic Acid and an Unidentified Factor in Reproduction in the Domestic Fowl

Abstract

Evidence is presented which shows that pantothenic acid is required for reproduction in hens. It was found that for this function they require also an unidentified, heat stable factor, or factors, present in liver extract. The addition of pantothenic acid alone to the basal diet increased hatchability from zero to 10–30%. When it was added to the basal diet along with the factor, or factors, in liver extract, hatchability was increased to 50–60%. The factor, or factors, in liver extract had little or no influence on hatchability except in the presence of pantothenic acid. A dermatosis was observed on the feet and shanks of hens fed a diet deficient in pantothenic acid.