The Effect of Pteroylglutamic Acid and an Unidentified Factor on Egg Production and Hatchability

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Abstract
Four experiments with breeding chickens have been described which demonstrate the importance for hatchability of an unidentified factor or factors. Fish solubles and liver fraction L are good sources of the factor or factors. The breeding hen may be depleted of the factor in from 4–6 weeks when purified diets are used. Data are presented which indicate that dextrin favors the intestinal synthesis of the factor in the mature fowl. The pteroylglutamic acid requirement of the laying bird is probably not over 0.25 mg per kilogram of diet. The pteroylglutamic acid requirement of the breeding bird appears to be approximately 0.5–1.0 mg per kilogram of diet when a diet is employed which does not favor intestinal synthesis of the vitamin. Evidence is presented which indicates that pteroylglutamic acid synthesis in the intestinal tract of the breeding hen is favored by diets containing dextrin as a carbohydrate.