Published online by Cambridge University Press: 27 March 2009
After it had become evident that vitamin B12 can be considered as a part of the so-called ‘Animal Protein Factor’, several experiments with young fattening pigs have been carried out in the Netherlands. The purpose of these experiments was to gain experience as to the value of products rich in vitamin B12 for pig feeding. In these trials 312 animals were used.
The results can be summarized as follows:
1. Substitution to a large extent of animal protein by vegetable protein in rations containing tho same total percentage of protein resulted in a retardation of growth.
2. Addition of vitamin B12 supplements to feed mixtures low in animal protein in this series of experiments generally gave better results than could be obtained without this addition. In the majority of cases, however, the results did not equal those of the groups which received rations containing the usual amount of animal protein.
3. Vitamin B12 can be considered as a component of the animal protein factor, but besides this there probably exist other factors which contribute to the special value of animal protein for young pigs.
4. In circumstances such as prevail in the Netherlands, little benefit can be derived for pig fattening from the use of products rich in vitamin B12.