Choline Studies with Young Dairy Calves, I. Relation of the Choline Content of Colostrum and Calf Blood

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Abstract
A study was made of the choline content of colostrum from 5 cows and of blood from 7 calves for periods of 1 week following parturition. Immediately following parturition the choline content of colostrum was found to be comparatively high, averaging 0.69 mg. per ml. for the 1st milking. The choline content decreased rapidly with subsequent milk-ings, averaging 0.17 mg. per ml. at the 6th milking and 0.14 mg. per ml. at 1 week. Calf blood choline levels were low at birth, but increased throughout the 1st week. The increase in choline of the blood was most rapid while the colostrum was comparatively high in choline, indicating that the calf used the choline of the colostrum to increase the amt. of choline in the blood. A modified method for the analysis of choline in milk and blood is described.