Relative Effectiveness of Various Antioxidants Fed to Lactating Dairy Cows, on Incidence of Copper-Induced Oxidized Milk Flavor and on Apparent Carotene and Tocopherol Utilization

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Abstract
Twenty-four cows, 12 Holstein and 12 Guernseys, were selected for producing milk which exhibited oxidized flavor 72 hours after the addition of 5.0 ppm of Cu++. After a 1-week standardizing period, the cows were fed either no antioxidant, N,N[image]-diphenyl-paraphenylenediamine (DPPD), 2,6-di-tertiarybutyl-4-methyl phenol (BHT), 1, 2-dihydro-2,2, 4-trimethyl-6-ethoxyquinoline (Santoquin), or d-[alpha]-tocopheryl acetate (Myvamix, a dry carrier of d-[alpha]-tocopheryl acetate which exhibits antioxidant activity only after ingestion and hydrolysis to the phenolic form in the intestine and tissues) at a daily rate of 0.01% of 90% dry matter ration or 2-methyl-l,4-napthoquinone (Menadione) at a daily rate of 25 mg for a 6-week comparison period. The following results were noted: (1.) Fat percentage of the milk was slightly raised by the feeding of Menadione and decreased by the feeding of Santoquin, (2.) Total tocopherol values of the blood plasma and milk were apparently increased slightly by supplementation with DPPD, BHT, Santoquin and Menadione and markedly by Myvamix, but these differences were not statistically significant except for supplementation with Myvamix, (3.) None of the antioxidants fed were as effective as DPPD in inhibiting the incidence of copper-induced oxidized milk flavor. No protection was afforded by any antioxidants except DPPD in the presence of 5.0 ppm of Cu++ and only partial protection by Myvamix and Menadione in the presence of 1.0 ppm of Cu++.