Development of a System for Clinical Evaluation of the Biotin Status of Sows

The study involved 16 test gilts fed an egg white-fortified diet and 4 control gilts on an egg white-free diet to monitor serum biotin levels and biotin deficiency symptoms over two parities. Serum biotin in test gilts decreased significantly over 15 months, with early symptoms like lesions, hoof cracks, hair loss, and dry skin appearing after 6 months and worsening over time. Control gilts maintained high serum biotin levels and showed no symptoms. The study concluded that serum biotin levels could serve as a sensitive indicator of biotin deficiency in sows, proposing a system to evaluate biotin status based on serum levels and clinical symptoms.