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The Synthesis of Vitamin B₁₂ After Oral and Parenteral Administration of Inorganic Cobalt to Cobalt-Deficient Sheep

Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y.

Abstract

The level of vitamin B₁₂ in the blood of sheep on a cobalt-deficient ration decreased rapidly. However, the lambs continued to eat well and gained weight for some time after the level of B₁₂ in the blood declined to low levels. This suggests that tissue vitamin B₁₂ is efficiently conserved.

The administration of cobalt orally to cobalt-deficient lambs significantly increased the vitamin B₁₂ level in the blood, kidney, pancreas, adrenals, rumen-reticulum, omasum-abomasum, duodenum-jejunum and ileum; the total vitamin B₁₂ content was significantly increased in the liver, kidney, pancreas, rumen-reticulum, omasum-abomasum, duodenum-jejunum, ileum, cecum and large intestine.

The parenteral administration of cobalt to the deficient lambs failed to significantly increase the vitamin B₁₂ level in the blood or body tissues. However, the vitamin B₁₂ content in the cecum and large intestine was significantly increased, presumably as a result of bacterial synthesis following the excretion of cobalt into the duodenum via the bile.

¹ Now at University of Wyoming, Laramie.

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