For growth and reproduction, the majority of animal species have a dietary requirement between 5 and 15 mg per kg (2.3 to 6.8 mg per lb) of diet. However, requirements for ruminants are unknown. Normally the rumen microflora synthesize adequate pantothenic acid to prevent outright deficiency symptoms; however, biosynthesis depends on the composition of feed. Vitamin synthesis is reduced with diets high in cellulose but increases with higher quantities of soluble carbohydrates (Virtanen, 1966). Certain amounts of B vitamins, including pantothenic acid, are synthesized in the large intestine of monogastrics as well as ruminant species. It is doubtful, however, whether much benefit is derived, as only limited pantothenic acid absorption occurs in the large intestine (Friesecke, 1975).
The pantothenic acid requirement of the young calf or any other pre-ruminant animal is unknown, but no clinical signs of pantothenic acid deficiency were observed in calves fed liquid diets providing 130 µg per kg (59 µg per lb) of body weight (NRC, 1989).
