Effect of dietary vitamin E on immune responses of calves.
The effect of vitamin E on humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in calves was determined, and plasma vitamin E and immunological status of calves under normal herd management were studied. Twelve newborn calves were fed skimmed colostrum for 2 days and thereafter skimmed milk plus vitamin E-stripped lard and emulsifying agents. Six calves each orally received 0, and six each orally received 1 g of DL-alpha-tocopherol acetate daily. Rations were supplemented with trace minerals and vitamins A and D. Twenty calves were fed colostrum for 3 days and thereafter milk and dry feed. At 6 wk, mean plasma vitamin E concentrations (micrograms/100 ml) for groups were 71, 639, and 155, respectively; and mean serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase concentrations (IU/liter) were 320, 61, and 43, respectively. Mean serum immunoglobulins concentrations (mg/100 ml) were: G1, 1079, 1168, and 1315; G2, 488, 562, and 432; A, 37, 53, and 35; M, 151, 118, and 110. Mean lymphocyte stimulation indexes were 76, 220, and 152, respectively. At 6 wk there were large but nonsignificant differences in mean indexes among groups.
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001835:Body Weight; D002417:Cattle / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D003126:Colostrum / Q000276:immunology; D004032:Diet; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D024505:Tocopherols; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
D007136:Immunoglobulins; D014810:Vitamin E; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol; D024505:Tocopherols