Seasonal changes in serum vitamin A, vitamin E and beta-carotene concentrations in Japanese Black breeding cattle in Hyogo prefecture.
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.
Katamoto
Hiromu
H
Department of Veterinary Surgery, Graduate School of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University, Sakai, Osaka, Japan.
Yamada
Yooko
Y
Nishizaki
Satoru
S
Hashimoto
Tadamasa
T
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*
D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E; D002784:Cholesterol