Leukocyte function and health status of calves supplemented with vitamins A and E

Authors

S. D. Eicher-Pruiett
J. L. Morrill
Frank Blecha
C. G. Chitko-McKown

Keywords

Dairy Day, 1991; Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station contribution; no. 92-175-S; Report of progress (Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station); 640; Dairy; Calves; Leukocytes; Vitamins; Health

Abstract

Forty-four Holstein calves were fed milk replacers with varied concentrations of vitamins A and E from 3 to 45 d of age to determine their effects on concentrations of plasma vitamin A (retinol and retinyl palmitate) and vitamin E (a- tocopherol), lymphocyte and neutrophil functions, and health of calves. Plasma a-tocopherol was unaffected by increased vitamin A supplementation. Fecal scores, and eye and nose membrane responses were improved with increased vitamin A and lower vitamin E concentration, whereas the same treatment tended to reduce neutrophil cytotoxic and bactericidal activity by 6 wk of age. Increased supplemental vitamin E tended to enhance neutrophil functions. However, age appeared to have an effect on response to both vitamins.; Dairy Day, 1991, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 1991;

Recommended Citation

Eicher-Pruiett, S. D.; Morrill, J. L.; Blecha, Frank; and Chitko-McKown, C. G. (1991) "Leukocyte function and health status of calves supplemented with vitamins A and E," Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol. 0: Iss. 2. https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.2972