Effect of vitamin E supplementation on weight gain, immune competence, and disease incidence in barley-fed beef cattle.
The aim of the study was to investigate whether vitamin E supplements in larger amounts than recommended could reduce incidence of disease, improve immune competence, and increase rate of weight gain of conventionally barley-fed beef cattle. Mean daily intake of vitamin E by individual calves in the experimental group was 200 mg during the first 2 mo, 400 mg during the next 2 mo, and 600 mg during the rest of the period. Corresponding daily intakes of vitamin E for the control group were 50, 100, and 150 mg. Mean plasma vitamin E of the experimental group increased from .49 mg/L at the start of the trial to 2.03 mg/L at the end, but that of the control group was lower at the end (.36 mg/L) than at the beginning (.53 mg/L). No significant differences were observed between the groups concerning incidence of disease or magnitude of lymphocyte stimulation. The results indicated that there was a surprisingly poor biological availability of the dietary vitamin. Therefore, a comparison in reality was made between calves with inadequate and normal vitamin E status. The differences in daily BW gain and time to reach slaughter weight thus probably were effects of the low vitamin E status rather than positive effects of additional vitamin in the diet.
Pehrson
B
B
College of Veterinary Medicine, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala.
Hakkarainen
J
J
Törnquist
M
M
Edfors
K
K
Fossum
C
C
D000818:Animals; D001682:Biological Availability; D002417:Cattle / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000276:immunology; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001467:Hordeum; D007121:Immunocompetence / Q000187:drug effects*; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects*
D014810:Vitamin E