The effect of pantothenic acid on the diet of growing chicks on energy utilization and body composition.
Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of varying levels of pantothenic acid on the efficiency of energy utilization and changes in body composition of the growing chick. The results indicate that a pantothenic acid deficiency does not interfere with the chick's ability to obtain metabolizable energy from the diet. The data do show that the efficiency of energy utilization and body composition were markedly affected when chicks were fed diets deficient in pantothenic acid. In both experiments, protein, fat and energy stores were significantly reduced when pantothenic acid-deficient diets were fed. Increased estimates of heat increment per gram of diet were observed when levels of pantothenic acid below the N.R.C. (1971) recommended level of 10 mg. per kg of diet were fed.