Observations on the Thiamine, Riboflavin, and Choline Needs of Sows for Reproduction

Abstract

Some factor or factors, either one or more of the other known B-complex vitamins not included in the purified ration used, or some unknown factor(s) is essential for reproduction and lactation in swine. The storage of this factor or factors in the sow must be sufficient to carry her for a long period of time as evidenced by the good record made by the two control gilts which were fed the purified basal ration (supplemented with the fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and the six B-complex vitamins: thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, and choline) only during the last 52 days of gestation and through a lactation period of 42 days, whereas complete failure in lactation was obtained when the same ration was fed for 140 days prior to farrowing. The deletion from the ration of any one of the three B-complex vitamins, thiamine, riboflavin, or choline, resulted in unsatisfactory reproduction and lactation. These results most likely are all complicated by an incomplete control ration so the following data obtained cannot be stated to be due to an uncomplicated single vitamin deficiency: (A) Results with gilts fed ration with no thiamine added: (1) Some loss of appetite, but not consistent; (2) Efficient feed utilization obtained during pregnancy; (3) Parturition 9 and 11 days prematurely in two cases; (4) High birth mortality in litters; (5) Weak-leg condition in pigs at birth; (6) Unthrifty pigs and subnormal weaning weights. Postmortem and microscopic data are given. (B) Results with gilts fed ration with no riboflavin added: (1) Erratic or, at times, a complete loss of appetite in pregnant gilts which was restored by injections of thiamine; (2) Poor gains; (3) Parturition 4 to 16 days prematurely; (4) One case of death of fetus in advanced stage with resorption in evidence; (5) All pigs were either dead at birth or died within 48 hours thereafter; (6) Enlarged front legs, due to gelatinous edema in the connective tissue in 9 pigs, and generalized edema in many pigs; (7) Two hairless litters born. Postmortem and microscopic data are given and discussed. (C) Results with gilts fed ration with no choline added: (1) Appetite of sows good; (2) Gilts farrowed on schedule; (3) At birth, many of pigs showed weak leg conditions such as those observed on thiamine deficient ration. (4) Muscular incoordination was observed in some pigs; (5) Heavy mortality in pigs and subnormal weaning weights; and (6) Fatty livers in pigs. Additional postmortem and microscopic data are given. Cases of hernia, kinked tail, enlarged forelegs, liver and kidney abnormalities occurred in pigs farrowed by various of the sows receiving the purified rations. The use of litter mate gilts in the 1946 trials and the normal appearance of the pigs from the control gilts seem to limit the abnormalities being due to genetic variation. The weak legged condition and general weakness at birth of pigs was so prevalent that it appeared to be nutritional. It would seem that much of the variation in severity of abnormalities could be attributed to differences in the length of time the sows were fed the purified ration and therefore variation in the amount of depletion of the factor(s) involved. Results of analyses of certain tissues for riboflavin and thiamine, of the gilts and pigs used in the 1946 trials, are given and discussed. Copyright © . .