Effect of Supplemental Cyanocobalamin on the Growth Performance and Hematological Indicators of the White Pekin Ducks from Hatch to Day 21

Abstract

Simple SummaryVitamin B12 plays a key role in the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system as well as creation and regulation of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). Furthermore, vitamin B12 plays a significant role in fatty acid metabolism and energy generation. Deficiency of vitamin B12 in animals may lead to weakness and anemia because it is involved in the formation of hemoglobin, which transports oxygen to body cells and red blood cells. Similarly, deficiency of vitamin B12 may also lead to hyperhomocysteinemia (increased level of homocysteine in the blood) which may depress immunity and cause cardiovascular diseases. There is no literature available regarding cyanocobalamin requirement for Pekin ducks. Therefore, the aim of our study is to determine its requirement. However, we find that cyanocobalamin has no influence on growth performance (weight gain), but it has more effect on hematological indicators (blood). On the basis of growth performance and hematological indicators we suggest that 0.02 mg cyanocobalamin/kg of feed is the dietary requirement of male Pekin ducks from hatch to day 21.AbstractThe experiment was conducted to evaluate the requirement of cyanocobalamin of male Pekin ducks from hatch to 21 days of age. A total of three-hundred-eighty-four, one-day-old meat-type male Pekin ducks were randomly allocated to six treatments, i.e., dietary cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) concentrations of 0.00, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08 and 1.00 mg/kg, respectively in their feed. Each treatment had eight replicated pens with eight ducks for each pen. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. The experiment was conducted for 21 days. Different growth parameters including average daily weight gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and hematological indicators were evaluated because, on the basis of hematological indicators, the health and nutritional status of an animal can be accessed. It is observed that supplemental cyanocobalamin has no significant effect on ADG, ADFI, and FCR but it improves hematological parameters such as white blood cells, red blood cells, and its indices and platelet counts compared to the control group (p < 0.05). On the basis of growth performance and hematological indicators it is concluded that 0.02 mg cyanocobalamin/kg of feed is the dietary requirement of male Pekin ducks from hatch to day 21 of age.

Nutritional significance of amino acids, vitamins and minerals as nutraceuticals in poultry production and health – a comprehensive review

“…The dietary supplementation of cyanocobalamin showed no effect on feed intake, daily weight gain and feed conversion efficiency, but it improved hematological parameters including red and white blood cells and platelet counts (Ahmad et al 2019). Some vitamins based formulations have a preventive and curative effect on infections in poultry.…”

“…Nutraceuticals have been in focus in poultry science quite recently due to the nutritional and healthier properties of feed ingredients and the adverse effects of chemical pharmaceuticals like antibiotic resistance and drug residues (Elnesr et al 2019a(Elnesr et al , 2020. Amino acids (Ghoreyshi et al 2019), minerals (Khatun et al 2019), and vitamins (Ahmad et al 2019) which are common ingredients of poultry ration or a combination of them (Moghaddam & Emadi 2014; Horvath & Babinsky 2018) can be nutraceuticals, especially important in poultry feeding. Generally, poultry receives nutrients through the consumption of natural feedstuffs, but some key essential amino acids (lysine, methionine, threonine and tryptophan), vitamins and minerals are often offered as synthetic supplements (Ravindran 2010).…”

Vitamin and mineral supplementation improves erythrocytic recovery and productive performance of infected by gastrointestinal parasites

“…These results were also consistent with data by Rocha et al (2018). Lambs supplemented with phosphate and cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) also displayed better recovery since B12 is essential for the formation of red blood cells as well as formation and maturation of erythrocytes (MORAIS et al, 2018;DEUBAX et al, 2019;ROCHA et al, 2018;AHMAD et al, 2019). Similarly, vitamin K also leads to positive outcomes since it acts on homeostasis, facilitating blood clotting after parasitic death since nematode parasites cause temporary hemorrhaging.…”

“…This vitamin is responsible for the biosynthesis of coagulation factors, acting directly in the production of the gamma-carboxyglutamic amino acid (Gla). Other substances such as iron and vitamin B12 are also used because the act in the hematopoietic system accelerating the recovery of red blood cell counts to revert anemia (DEUBAX et al, 2019;ROCHA et al, 2018;AHMAD et al, 2019). Phosphorus is also a valuable mineral during recovery since it acts in energy metabolism (ATP and ADP).…”

Effects of the bioactive amino acids leucine and tryptophan on feed intake in layer chicks

“…Nutraceuticals may include vitamins, minerals, or a combination of them. They are often found in chicken rations (Ghoreyshi et [21,27,1] , which are particularly significant in poultry nutrition. However, several important necessary amino acids (lysine, methionine, threonine, and tryptophan), vitamins, and minerals are often provided as synthetic supplements.…”