Significance, utilization and application of B-vitamins in ruminants. 2. Niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, folic acid and vitamin B-12

Under certain feeding conditions the amount of resorbed niacin is not optim al, so daily supplementation with 1 g nicotinic acid per head of growing ca ttle, 0,5 g per sheep and 6 g per lactating cow augments productivity. Nico tinic acid has an antilipolytic, antiketogenic and a gluconeogenesis stimul ating effect. Under usual feeding conditions the resorption of pantothenic acid is sufficient. The synthesis of biotin in the forestomachs is small. T he enteral synthetized biotin is resorbed only to a small degree. Supply wi th 20 mg biotin per cow and day augments the quality of claw horn. The supp ly with folic acid is under certain feeding conditions not optimal. There i s a high synthesis of vitamin B-12 in the forestomachs. Preparations of B-v itamins are especially applied in cases of maldigestion and of a longer int erruption of feed intake for the stimulation of cell regeneration and of th e activity of the immune system.