Mimeo. No. A.H. 42
Department of Animal Husbandry
September 16, 1949
RESPONSE OF PIGS TO THE ANIMAL PROTEIN FACTOR1
W. H. Beeson and A. E. B1oss
Department of Animal Husbandry Purdue University Lafayette, Indiana
No subject has attracted more attention in recent months among hog producers, feed manufacturers and experimental workers than the so-called Animal Protein Factor (AFF), which is sometimes referred to as a Vitamin B12 concentrate. For years swine raisers have known that in most cases to raise hogs to the best advantage - especially in dry lot - that it is necessary to supplement the hog diet with some source of animal protein. Formerly our concept was that animal proteins were used principally to furnish high quality proteins - now we have added to that knowledge showing that animal proteins and other supplements furnish vitamin or vitamin-like factors which are essential for growth.
WHnT IS m3 ANIMAL protein factor?
The term Animal Protein Factor (APF) has been used to refer to a number of unidentified factors found in or associated with proteins from animal origin but lacking in vegetable protein supplements. APF has also been identified with a concentrate containing Vitamin B.^, which is being produced by using certain microorganisms. Some evidence indicates rather strongly that B^ and the Animal Protein Factor may be identical. However, it appears at present that there are several unknown factors in addition to Vitamin B-^ in animal proteins which are essential for properly nourishing the pig. Vitamin is probably only one of tie new vitamin factors furnished by animal proteins.
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generously supplied by Merck and Company, Inc., Rahway, New Jersey - known as experimental APF Supplement No. I - activity measured by L.L.D. method equivalent to that of 2.0 milligrams Vitamin B^ per pound.