EN
The effect of biotin on synthesis of vitamin C in intestinal wall was examined on meat chickens. The birds were injected intraperitoneally 1 mg of biotin/day for 30 days and after sacrification the content of vitamin C was determined in the wall of ileum and coecum by the method of Roe-Kuenthner, the level of an intermediate product of synthesis-D-glucuronic acid by the method of Bitter and the activity of L-gulono-gamma-oxydase active in a terminal phase of vitamin C synthesis by the method of Chatterjee. It was found a significant increase of vitamin C in the experimental group of chickens comparing to controls from 274.1 mg/kg to 302.9 mg/kg in ileum and from 141.3 mg/kg to 158.8 mg/kg in coecum. The level of D-glucuronic acid increased in ileum by 137% and in coecum by 16%. The activity of L-gulono-gamma-oxydase increased by about 50%. Biotin increased also absorption of vitamin C from intestines determined by the method of perfused intestinal loop in vivo. This observation is valid for the animals and man that can not synthesize ascorbic acid or synthesize the acid only in a small degree, and ascorbic acid is supplied with food only. Acceleration of ascorbic acid synthesis by biotin in animals that are able to synthesize ascorbic acid can protect these animals against deficiency of vitamin C in food.