ARS | Publication request: THE ROLE OF FAT-SOLUBLE VITAMINS IN COLOSTRUM AND MILK ON PLASMA VITAMIN CONCENTRATIONS AND IMMUNE FUNCTION IN CALVES DURING THE FIRST WEEK POSTPARTUM

Submitted to: International Virtual Conference on Infectious Diseases of Animals
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: April 20, 1997
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Fat-soluble vitamins and their metabolites are known to modulate immune function in a variety of animal species. The objective of the present study was to determine the role of fat-soluble vitamins in colostrum and milk on the development of specific aspects of immune function in the calf during the first week after parturition. During this period, control calves (n=6) were fed normal colostrum and milk. and calves in the treatment group (n=6) were fed skimmed colostrum and skimmed milk (from same pool used to feed controls) supplemented with coconut oil. Calves in the treatment group did not experience the progressive increase in serum concentrations of retinol (vitamin A); beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, or retinoic acids as was observed in the control calves. Functional capacities and the composition of blood mononuclear leukocyte populations collected from birth to 7 days postpartum, however, were unaffected by treatment. Serum IgG1 concentrations were also unaffected indicating acquisition of passive immunity was not affected.