Special Veterinary Pathology

PANTOTHENIC ACID

PANTOTHENIC ACID (Chick anti dermatitis factor)

Sources

• Alfa alfa, Hay, Cereals, Corn is deficient

Functions

• Plant and Animal tissues

Essential part of Co-enzyme A

• Carbohydrate metabolism, TCA cycle
• Antibody formation
• Neural function (via acetylcholine)
• Precursor of cholestrol & hormones

Deficiency

• Pigs - increased corn feeding
• Loss of flesh, scaly skin, diarrhoea
• Stiffness of hind limbs, weakness of pelvic muscle
• Animal rests on hock → sitting posture with hind legs extended out wards – walks with fore leap “GOOSE STEPPING GAIT”

Lesions

• Hemorrhagic & Necrotic colitis
• Necrosis of neurons in brain & spinal cord
• Degeneration of brachial & sciatic nerves
• Normocytic anemia

Ducks

• Anemia – heme is not synthesized in the absence of pantohenic acid

Poultry

• Growth rate decreased
• Poor feather development
• Dermatitis / broken feathers
• Inflammation in corners of beak, eyelids

Breeders

• ↓ egg production, ↓ hatchability
• Embroyos edematous & haemorrhagic or stunted & weak chicks
• Copper antogonise pantothenic activity