The Effect of a Massive Dose at Birth of Vitamins A and D upon Blood Plasma Levels and Liver Storage in Holstein Calves

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Abstract
Twelve purebred Holstein calves were raised according to the Cornell limited-whole milk dry-calf starter method. Six of these calves were given 250,000 I.U. of vitamin A, 50,000 I.U. of vitamin D, 500 mg. of niacin chloride at birth. Blood samples drawn at 3, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days of age gave statistically higher levels of blood plasma vitamin A and vitamin D and statistically lower levels of blood plasma carotene for the vitamin supplemented calves as compared to the controls. Six additional calves, three of which received a similar dose of vitamins at birth, were slaughtered at 84 hrs. of age after 4 feedings of colostrum and 2 feedings of reconstituted skimmilk. The level of vitamin A and vitamin D in the liver was statistically higher, 10 times greater, in the vitamin supplemented calves as compared to the controls. A marked elevation in plasma vitamin A was noted after a feeding of reconstituted skimmilk in the vitamin supplemented calves, indicating a mobilization of vitamin A from the storage depots to the blood stream.