B-vitamins (thiamine, vitamin b6, pantothenic acid) in lean muscle tissue of growing cattle of the German Simmental breed under different feeding intensities

Abstract

In a comparative slaughter experiment the thiamin, vitamin B6 and pantothenic acid content of lean tissue of foreloin of growing cattle was determined by whole body analyses. 54 bulls, 45 heifers and 45 steers were fed until a live mass of 200 kg, 350 kg, 425 kg (only heifers) 500 kg and 575 kg, 650 kg, respectively (only bulls and steers). One half of each carcass was divided into 13 cuts and afterwards the cuts were each divided into lean, adipose and bone tissue and tendons. The lean tissue of the foreloin was subjected to analysis of thiamin, vitamin B6 and pantothenic acid. The mean thiamin content of 0.75 mg kg-1 fresh matter (200 kg live mass) decreased with rising live mass and under intensive feeding conditions in bulls and steers to 0.53 mg and in heifers to 0.61 mg. Restrictively feeding caused a mean thiamin content of 0.60 mg per kg fresh matter in bulls, steers and heifers. Under both feeding conditions in the lean tissue of the foreloin on average a vitamin B6 content of 2.6 mg (bulls), 3.1 mg (heifers) and 3.0 mg kg-1 fresh matter (steers) was analysed. A mean content of pantothenic acid of 2.6 mg kg-1 fresh matter was determined in bulls independent of live mass and feeding intensity. In heifers the content of pantothenic acid on average was 3.0 mg under intensive feeding system and 2.6 mg under low feeding conditions, whereas steers reached contents of 2.7 mg (high feeding) and 2.2 mg kg-1 fresh matter (low feeding).