Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Niacin Levels in the Blood of Swine

Abstract
Blood samples of pigs were analyzed for vits. A, C, and niacin before nursing, during the suckling period, and after weaning. At birth the plasma vit. C and blood niacin were relatively high (0.96 mg. % and 8 microg./cc, respectively) and the plasma vit. A was low (0.1 microg./cc.). The vit. C level increased approx. 1.5-fold at 36 hrs. of age and decreased to 0.8 mg. % by the 2d week; after weaning the vit. C level was lower. The plasma vit. A reached a max. of 0.34 microg. in the week old pig, decreased during the middle of the suckling period, and rose again during the latter part. A lower level of vit. A was noted after weaning. The niacin level decreased to 5 microg. after weaning. Parturition did not affect the concn. of vits. A and C in sow''s blood. Carotene could not be detected in swine blood.