A note on the effect of low levels of biotin in milk substitutes for neonatal pigs

Abstract

ABSTRACTPigs weaned at 2 days of age were given a milk substitute until 28 days of age containing either 10 or 52 fig biotin per kg dry matter. During the last week of the experiment a slight deterioration in the ratio of feed: gain (0·1 > P > 0·05), but not in weight gain, was found in pigs given the low-biotin diet. No signs of biotin deficiency were observed, but pigs given the low-biotin diet had lower concentrations of biotin in the liver and carcass. Most of the biotin was in the liver. These results suggest that 10 fig biotin per kg dry matter may be adequate for pigs until at least 28 days of age.