Mammary Transfer of Vitamin E in Cows Treated with Vitamin A or Linoleic Acid

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Abstract
The effect of an i.v. injection of vitamin A alcohol and s.c. injections of linoleic acid on the mammary transfer of an i.v. injection of vitamin E acetate was studied with 15 Holstein cows. The cows received an i.v. injection of 3 g vitamin E acetate (controls), i.v. injections of 3 g vitamin E acetate and 1 million IU vitamin A alcohol or an i.v. injection of 3 g vitamin E acetate and s.c. injections totaling 40 g of linoleic acid. Milk samples were at 12 h intervals, 2 prior to the 6 following treatment. The main influence of vitamin A alcohol and linoleic acid on mammary transfer of vitamin E was to delay secretion of vitamin E in milk. Total secretion of vitamin E was not reduced by injection of vitamin A alcohol or linoleic acid. Vitamin E injection produced substantial increases in vitamin E in milk but < 1% of the dose was accounted for in the milk.