Folic acid
FOLIC ACID (Pteroglutamic acid)
Sources - Yeast , greens
Functions
- Active form is tetra hydro folic acid (FH4)
- FH4 is important in the metabolism of amino acids
- Purine and pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis
- Nucleic acid synthesis and metabolism
- Essential for cell proliferation
- Especially haemopoietic system is very sensitive
- In poultry, along with lysine, folic acid is required for pigmentation of feathers
Deficiency
- Macrocytic aneamia (Sprue – pernicious anaemia)
- Agranulocytosis
- Leucopenia
- Megaloblast – cytological changes in bone marrow
- Essential for growth, food utilization, epidermal tissue maintenance, bone development reproduction
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Poultry
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Due to sulphonamide therapy
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Macrocytic megaloblastic anemia
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Retarded growth
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Defective feather development/ poor pigmentation
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Leg deformities – chondrodystrophy
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Turkeys – cervical deformity
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Layers –Reduced egg production ; reduced hatchability; deformities in embroyos
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Humans
- Increased usage of contraceptives , anti – malarials, anticonvulsantscauses reduced availability of folic acid
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Last modified: Thursday, 22 March 2012, 8:55 AM