Effect of colostral b-carotene and vitamin A on vitamin and health status of newborn calves

The present study was conducted to clarify the relationship between colostral and plasma vitamin A and b-carotene, and to evaluate the effect of vitamin status on diarrhea and anemia of 46 Holstein newborn calves at 6 days of age. Colostral b-carotene and vitamin A concentrations at parturition ranged from 17.8 to 342.9 and from 32.9 to 450.0 mg/dl, respectively. Plasma b-carotene and vitamin A of calves increased at 6 days of age. Colostral b-carotene at parturition was positively correlated with plasma b-carotene of calves at 6 days of age, but there was no significant correlation between colostral and plasma vitamin A. Fecal DM concentration of calves decreased at 6 days of age, and fecal DM of calves at birth and 6 days of age ranged from 21.2 to 44.2 and from 11.7 to 40.6%, respectively. Plasma b-carotene and plasma vitamin A were positively correlated with fecal DM, but no correlations were observed between plasma vitamins and erythropoiesis components. These results suggest that b-carotene status of calves at 6 days of age is dependent on colostrum concentrations of b-carotene and affects the occurrence of diarrhea, and vitamin A status depends on colostral vitamin A and placental vitamin A transfer during gestation.  2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.