Effect of Vitamin B9 on Performance of Animal: A Review.

Folacin and folate are generic terms used to describe folic acid and relation compounds which exhibit the biological activity of folic acid. The terms folacin, folate, and folic acid will be used interchangeably. For animals, folacin needs are met principally with dietary sources and to some extent with intestinal bacterial synthesis. Different species vary in ability to utilize microbial intestinal synthesis as a source of folacin. Poultry need supplemental folacin under certain conditions. Folacin supplementation is most important when poultry receive diets containing sulfa drugs and grains contaminated by toxin producing molds. To maximize reproductive efficiency, gestating non-ruminant often receive supplemental folacin.