Final: Choline

Question 1

What role does choline play in cell physiology?

Answer 1

It is a component of lecithin, a phospholipid found in cell membranes, and it is a component of ACh
Also serves as a donor of methyl groups in certain methylation reactions

Question 2

Is choline deficiency common in animals fed high-quality protein diets?

Answer 2

No, high-protein feed ingredients are generally good sources of choline.

Question 3

What is the requirement of choline by the body?

Answer 3

Relatively large - up to 0.1% of the diet (most other vitamins at 1/100th of this level)

Question 4

What happens in choline deficiency?

Answer 4

Fatty liver (lipids accumulate)

Question 5

What are symptoms of choline deficiency in swine?

Answer 5

Incoordination, fatty liver, kidney degeneration, smaller litter size

Question 6

What are sources of choline?

Answer 6

Corn-soybean meal diets
High-protein feed ingredients
Egg yolk, soy, liver (phosphatidylcholine and lecithin)
Synthetic = choline chloride

Question 7

What is used as a supplement in cows around the time of calving?

Answer 7

Rumen protected choline

Question 8

What does rumen protected choline do?

Answer 8

may reduce incidence of ketosis and fatty liver by permitting formation of very low density lipoproteins necessary for removal of fat from the liver