Studies of the Effect of Vitamin B12 on Hatchability

Abstract

A VITAMIN B12 concentrate (Merck and Company) was reported by Lindstrom, Moore, Peterson and Wiese (1949) to increase the hatchability of fertile eggs from hens depleted of their stores of the animal protein factor. Olcese, Couch and Lyman (1949) reported highly variable hatchability results from feeding an APF concentrate (Lederle Laboratories) to hens depleted of the animal protein factor. Carver and McGinnis (1950) obtained a marked and rapid increase in hatchability with an APF supplement (Lederle Laboratories) comparable to that obtained with herring fish meal. Lillie, Olson and Bird (1949) found that, when eggs laid by hens deficient in vitamin B12 were injected with the crystalline vitamin, hatchability was improved. In view of the type of vitamin B12 supplements or the experimental techniques used by these research workers, studies were carried out to determine the effect on hatchability of injecting crystalline vitamin B12 into hens depleted of their stores of . . .