Niacin Requirement of Growing Mink

Abstract

In studies investigating the niacin requirement and metabolism of growing mink over 180 mink kits receiving a purified diet have shown that the mink requires a dietary source of niacin. The requirement lies between 10 and 20 mg/kg of diet. Survival time on a deficient diet increases with age. Supplementation of a niacin-free diet with either 0.16 or 0.32% DL-tryptophan had no effect in alleviating the niacin deficiency. The mink apparently cannot convert sufficient tryptophan to meet its niacin requirement. Symptoms of niacin deficiency are nonspecific and include anorexia, loss of weight, weakness, coma and death. No discoloration of the buccal mucosa was observed.