H. L. Fuller

Vitamin B6in Farm Animal Nutrition and Pets1

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the deficiency symptoms and requirements for vitamin B 6 in those animals where the well-being of the animal is of primary concern. This includes primarily farm animals and pets. The functions of vitamin B 6 in biochemical systems, pathology of vitamin B 6 deficiency, and metabolic interrelationships with other nutrients are discussed to understand and define dietary requirements for this vitamin by the various species of animals. The primary stimulus for nutrition research with farm animals is the economical production of meat, milk, and eggs. As the well-being of the animal is entirely compatible with economical production, this approach is not so different from that taken with pets and humans. Obvious specific symptoms of vitamin B 6 deficiency usually do not occur unless the deficiency is severe. The earliest gross evidence of dietary inadequacy in young growing animals is a reduction in growth rate and food consumption or utilization and with breeding animals, a reduction in reproductive performance. These symptoms are not specific, and the traits upon which they are based are not entirely predictable even under normal conditions; therefore, unless they are observed under controlled experimental conditions such symptoms may remain undetected.