Prepartum Milking. III. The Plasma Levels of Carotene and Vitamin A in Calves from Dams Milked Prepartum and in Calves from Dams Milked Postpartum

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Abstract
The effect of prepartum milking of the dam, for 10 days prior to the calculated parturition date, on the plasma carotene and vit. A levels, liveweight changes, and incidence of scours in 41 young dairy calves was studied. Secondarily, the effect of feeding 1 million U.S.P. units of vit. A for 30 days prepartum was measured. Prepartum milking significantly lowers the level of blood plasma carotene and vit. A in calves from 1 through 4 wks. of age as compared to those values for calves from dams milked only postpartum. The feeding of supplementary vit. A prepartum to the dam resulted in significantly greater blood plasma levels of vit. A from birth to 4 wks. of age in calves and lower carotene levels. Neither liveweight changes nor incidence of scours was affected significantly by treatment.