title: Seasonal changes in serum vitamin A, vitamin E and beta-carotene concentrations in Japanese Black breeding cattle in Hyogo prefecture.
abstract: The influence of the season on serum vitamin A, E and beta-carotene concentrations was studied in Japanese Black breeding cattle. Blood samples were collected from 13 cows once a month for a year to determine the serum vitamin concentrations. Mean serum concentrations (+/- SE) of retinol, alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene were 21.3 +/- 0.5 microg/dl (range 9.9 to 44.9), 215.9 +/- 8.0 microg/dl (range 59.7 to 551.6) and 67.3 +/- 5.1 microg/dl (range 10.6 to 425.2), respectively. All these concentrations were lower than the recommended levels. Serum retinol and alpha-tocopherol concentrations in summer were lower than those in winter. These results suggest that the vitamin A, E and beta-carotene status of Japanese Black breeding cows is inadequate, and feeding high quality forages or dietary vitamin supplementation during summer should be recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Surgery, Graduate School of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University, Sakai, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiromu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Katamoto
authors.forename: Yooko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: Satoru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nishizaki
authors.forename: Tadamasa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hashimoto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D007564:Japan; D012621:Seasons; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood*; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E; D002784:Cholesterol