The Carotene Requirements for Reproduction in Guernsey Cattle

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Abstract
A study of 72 gestation periods of cows at various levels of carotene intake indicates that the daily dietary carotene level of Guernsey cows must be equivalent to or greater than 90 [mu]g. per lb. body weight to insure efficient reproduction. Carotene intakes below this amt. resulted in a high incidence of pre-term births and retained placentae. Only 45% of the calves produced by cows receiving less than this amt. were normal while 76% were normal when carotene intakes were above 90 [mu]g. The abnormalities were much more severe among the calves produced by the low carotene intake cows than among those produced in the high level groups. The birth of blind calves and of calves with other eye anomalies was confined to the group of cows receiving less than 90 [mu]g. of carotene per lb. body weight daily. There was no apparent relationship between the conception rate and the level of carotene intake.

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