To study the effect of vitamin B_<12> on the performance of laying and hatchability of japanese quail (Coturnix cotunrix japonica), quail were fed on low vitamin B_<12> diet for 23 weeks. Egg production, hatchability and vitamin B_<12> content in egg yolk were observed. There were not effects on the body weight, feed consumption and egg production on laying quail, although the survival of quail fed on low vitamin B_<12> diet was decreased. Decrease in hatchability, hatchability of fertile eggs and dead germs of fertile eggs were observed at 15th week under condition of vitamin B_<12> depression, but fertility was not changed. The content of vitamin B_<12> in egg yolk was remarkably decreased to 1.07 μg% at 15th week, and to 0.57 μg% at 20th week. The decrease in hatchability, hatchability of fertile eggs and increase in dead germs of fertile eggs were corresponded with the decrease of vitamin B_<12> content in egg yolk. These results suggested that at least 1 μg% of vitamin B_<12> in egg yolk for normal hatchability was required. Furthermore, the content of vitamin B_<12> in liver and plasma of laying quail was decreased, but hematological change of peripheral blood was not observed.

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d-, and dl-Forms of α-tocopherols are distinguished from each other by measuring the specific rotations of their oxidation products oxidized with alkaline potassium ferricyanide. However, a method of distinction between d-, and dl-forms of other tocopherols has not yet been published. In the present study, the specific rotations of oxidation products of β-, γ-, and δ-tocopherols were investigated by the same method as that for α-tocopherol. High specific rotations were observed for oxidation products of d-β-, d-γ-, and d-δ-tocopherols, but not observed for that of the reference compound, dl-γ-tocopherol. Therefore, it is clear that all d-form tocopherols are distinguished from dl-forms by measuring the specific rotations of their oxidation products.

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