Response of female mink and their litters to supplemental dietary folic acid during the reproductive period

摘要

The results of this preliminary study showed a notable inerease in litter size and decrease in kit moitality at birth for female mink fed supplemental folk acid, Folic acid supplementation, however, did not have a significant beneficial effect on kitbody weights at birth, three or six weeks of age or survivability from birth through weaning Although these results are based on a relatively small number of litters, they suggest lhat the mink's requirement loi lulic acid may be ineieased dining gestuliun. I'uilhei large scale trials are, however, needed to confirm the results of this study and clarify the role of folic acid in mink reproduction.