Interrelationships Between Methionine and Vitamin B6 in Chick Diets

Abstract

ALTHOUGH various functions of vitamin B6 in protein metabolism have been well established, several others have not yet been clearly defined. Christensen (1962, 1963) presented evidence for the participation of vitamin B6 in the cellular uptake of amino acids. Sauberlich (1961) proposed that when an amino acid is limiting, added amounts of vitamin B6 in the diet may have a “sparing effect” by allowing more incorporation of the limiting amino acid into protein and growth instead of being channeled into oxidative pathways.Both quality and quantity of protein in a ration have been shown to play an important role in determining the need of the animal for vitamin B6. Cercedo and Foy (1944) observed that the onset of the characteristic dermatitis of vitamin B6 deficiency in rats was accelerated on a high-protein diet. Kirchgessner and Frienecke (1963) concluded that, as in the rat, the vitamin B6 requirement in growing cockerels…