The transmission of vitamin A from parents to young in mammals

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Abstract
A convenient method for extracting carotene and vit. A from milk and colostrum samples has been applied to colostrum and milk from 14 cows of a dairy shorthorn herd. The vit. A cone, in colostrum may be from 10-100 times greater than in later milk from the same cow independent of season. The carotene content of colostrum may be as much as 70 times greater than in later milk unless calving occurs during late winter feeding. The colostrum of heifers is generally richer in vit. A than the colostrum of cows (on the av. over twice as rich). The importance of colostrum as compared with the placenta and milk as a source of vit. A for the young calf is demonstrated. On the first day of life the calf receives supplies of vit. A greater than the later milk could give in 20-50 days.