VITAMIN B6

Vitamin B6 is a water soluble vitamin and is very important for animal nutrition

Vitamin B6 in the form of PLP (pyridoxal phosphate)  and, to a lesser degree, pyridoxamine phosphate plays an essential role in the interaction of amino acid, carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism in the energy-producing TCA cycle. Over 60 enzymes are already known to depend on vitamin B6coenzymes. Pyridoxal phosphate functions in practically all reactions involved in amino acid metabolism, including transamination, decarboxylation, deamination, and desulfhydration. Characteristics of vitamin B6 deficiency are loss of appetite, retarded growth, dermatitis, epileptic-like convulsions, anemia, partial alopecia, decreased egg production. Due to rumen microbial synthesis, vitamin B6 deficiency in ruminants with a functioning rumen has not been reported in the literature.