Recent Developments in B-Vitamin Nutrition of Dairy Cattle

B-complex includes vitamins like thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), folic acid (B9), cyanocobalamin (B12), and biotin. Although all the B-vitamins can be synthesized in the rumen by the inhabiting microbial consortia, the levels of daily synthesis may become insufficient to fulfil the requirements, for instance, high-yielding dairy animals. Since B-vitamins functions as several important cofactors in nutrient metabolism, some recent research have shown advantages in terms of improved nutrient utilization as well as milk performance in dairy cows. This chapter explores opportunities to further fine-tune ruminant rations, considering the plausible zoo-technical performance benefits upon dietary fortification with B-vitamins.