Special Veterinary Pathology

VITAMIN B12

VITAMIN B12 (Cyanocobalamine – Anti–Pernicious Anaemia Factor) – Animal Protein Factor (APF)

Sources

• Cobalt containing vitamin found in meat and meat products; milk;synthesis by bacteria ; fermented foods

Functions

• Essential for biosynthesis of thymidine
• Nucleic acid metabolism and production of RNA and DNA
• CHO, fat, protein metabolism
• Associated with folic acid metabolism

Causes for deficiency

• Absence of intrinsic factor (hemopoetin) secreted by parietal cells of gastric mucosa cobalt deficiency

Clinical signs

• Poultry - ↓ egg production; ↓ hatchabilily
• Humans – Macrocytic anemia (Pernicious anemia)