Deposition of B Vitamins in Normally Developing Fetuses as Evidence for Increased Vitamin Needs of the Rat for Reproduction II. Pantothenic Acid and Biotin

Abstract

Information has been obtained on the daily transfer of pantothenic acid and biotin from the pregnant stock rat to the developing fetuses, from the 13th day of pregnancy to parturition. The experimental animals had access to between 500 and 600 μg of pantothenic acid and 2.5 μg of biotin per day. Demands for either pantothenic acid or biotin to allow for normal development of placental tissue were small; this was especially true in the case of pantothenic acid. Fetal growth, which was most rapid between the 20th and 21st days of the gestation period, accounted for an increased need for pantothenic acid of 600 μg per day. The highest requirement for biotin occurred during the same interval of the reproductive cycle and the rate of deposition of biotin at that time exceeded 3.0 μg per 24 hours. No evidence of depletion of maternal tissues was encountered throughout the reproductive cycle.