Adequacy of Synthetic Diets for Reproduction of Swine

Abstract

Two female pigs were reared on a synthetic diet which contained casein as a source of protein. The added vits. included thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, nicotinic acid, choline, biotin, inositol, pteroylglutamic acid, and vits. A, D, E, and K. During the periods of growth, gestation and lactation 1 sow received 492 [mu]g. of vit. B12 by intramusc, injn., the other received 583. Both sows weaned their litters but the pigs were slightly lacking in thrift and they were subnormal in wt. 1 of the sows received 2.38 mg. of vit. B12 by intramusc. injn., during a 2d gestation and lactation. Her litter had the unusual avg. wt. of 47 lbs. at 8 wks. of age. The other sow received no vit. B12 but her ration contained a water extract of liver. Her litter had the excellent avg. wt. of 35 lbs. at 8 wks. of age. There was no evidence that a water extract of liver contained an unrecognized nutrient that is important in swine nutrition.