In:
Canadian Journal of Animal Science, Canadian Science Publishing, Vol. 71, No. 4 ( 1991-12-01), p. 1223-1231
Abstract:
In the first of two trials, 24 piglets (2 wk old) were used to measure the dose–response curve of serum folates after intramuscular injections of folic acid (0, 10, 20 or 30 mg). Administration of 10 mg of folic acid was sufficient (P 〈 0.01) to prevent the decrease of serum folates observed 1 wk after weaning. In the second trial, 72 piglets (2 wk old) were used to study the effect of repeated intramuscular injections of folic acid (0 or 2.5 mg kg −1 of body weight) on hematological status, liver development, and concentrations of serum and hepatic folates, as well as on growth performance up to 10 wk of age. Serum and liver folates were increased (P 〈 0.01) by repeated injections of folic acid. However, no treatment effects (P 〉 0.10) were observed on total content of DNA, RNA and protein in the liver. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, total body weight gain, gain: feed ratio and total feed intake were also not influenced (P 〉 0.10) by the injections of folic acid. Therefore, although a decrease in serum folates is observed during the weaning period, it does not seem to have detrimental effects on the growth performance of weanling piglets. Key words: Folic acid, folates, growth performance, piglets, weaning
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0008-3984
,
1918-1825
Language:
English
Publisher:
Canadian Science Publishing
Publication Date:
1991
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2016977-2
SSG:
22
SSG:
12
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