The Effect of Vitamin A from Prenatal Storage and from Ingestion of Colostrum on the Neonatal Calf

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Abstract
28 calves, half of them from dams receiving only a basal ration and the other half from dams receiving the same basal ration plus one million units of vit. A. daily for 30 days prior to the calculated parturition date, were used. At birth, the calves from each of the maternal dietary groupings were subdivided into 2 groups, one receiving colostrum from dams fed only the basal ration and the other receiving colostrum from dams fed the supplementary vit. A. After 4 feedings of colostrum, all calves were raised on a limited-whole milk, dry-calf starter system. The data indicate that vit. A-rich colostrum significantly increased the plasma vit. A from birth to 5 days of age and liver vit. A at 28 days of age. Prenatal storage of vit. A elevated the blood plasma vit. A level at birth and contributed to greater liver storage of vit. A at 28 days of age. The other criteria measured, hemoglobin, whole blood and plasma ascorbic acid, live-weight, fecal pH and dry matter, and incidence of scours, were not affected significantly by treatment.