Topics:
Animal Physiology, Animal Refresher
Lipotropic Factor
Which of the following is a lipotropic factor?
- Folic acid
- Choline — Correct Answer
- Biotin
- Vitamin A
Explanation:
Correct Answer: Choline
Choline is a classic lipotropic factor — a substance that prevents or corrects abnormal accumulation of fat (lipid) in the liver (fatty liver / hepatic steatosis) by promoting mobilization of fat from the liver.
How Choline Acts as a Lipotropic Factor
- Choline is essential for the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine (lecithin), a phospholipid that forms the outer coat of Very Low Density Lipoproteins (VLDL).
- VLDL is the vehicle that exports fat from the liver to peripheral tissues.
- If choline is deficient → VLDL cannot be formed → fat accumulates in liver → fatty liver syndrome (hepatic lipidosis).
- Example: High-yielding dairy cows in early lactation are prone to fatty liver disease due to choline deficiency; supplementation with rumen-protected choline is practiced to prevent this.
Why Other Options Are Wrong
- Folic acid — vitamin involved in one-carbon metabolism and DNA synthesis; not lipotropic.
- Biotin — involved in carboxylation reactions (fat, amino acid, and carbohydrate metabolism); not primarily lipotropic.
- Vitamin A — antioxidant role, vision, epithelial integrity; no lipotropic function.
Other Lipotropic Factors
Methionine, inositol, betaine, and vitamin B12 are also considered lipotropic factors as they assist in fat mobilization from the liver.
📚 About this Topic — Animal Physiology
This multiple choice question is from Animal Physiology, Animal Refresher. It has 4 options with a detailed explanation of the correct answer. Practice more MCQs from Animal Physiology to strengthen your preparation.
