Urea and homocysteine in the blood serum of pigs fed diets supplemented with betaine and an enhanced level of B group vitamins.

摘要

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of betaine and increased supplementation of vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid in diets on the blood urea and homocysteine levels in pigs. The experiment was conducted in 64 growing-fattening pigs. The parameters under study did not differ significantly among the groups. However, in animals fed on betaine non-supplemented diets, the urea level tended to be higher, whereas homocysteine was lower when diets contained higher levels of B vitamins. The urea level was uniform in pigs fed diets supplemented with betaine, and homocysteine varied to a very small extent.