Effects of maternal natural (RRR alpha-tocopherol acetate) or synthetic (all-rac alpha-tocopherol acetate) vitamin E supplementation on suckling calf performance, colostrum immunoglobulin G, and immune function.
The objective of this study was to determine the effects of maternally supplemented natural- or synthetic-source vitamin E on suckling calf performance and immune response. In a 2-yr study, one hundred fifty-two 2- and 3-yr-old, spring-calving, Angus-cross beef cows were blocked by age, BW, and BCS into 1 of 3 isocaloric, corn-based dietary supplements containing 1) no additional vitamin E (CON), 2) 1,000 IU/d of synthetic-source vitamin E (SYN), or 3) 1,000 IU/d of natural-source vitamin E (NAT). Maternal supplementation began approximately 6 wk prepartum and continued until the breeding season. Colostrum from cows and blood from calves was collected 24 h postpartum for analysis of IgG concentration as an indicator of passive transfer and circulating alpha-tocopherol concentration. At 19 d of age, blood was collected from calves to determine the expression of CD14 and CD18 molecules on leukocytes. At 21 and 35 d of age, humoral immune response was measured by a subcutaneous injection, in the neck, with ovalbumin (20 mg; OVA) and blood samples collected weekly until d 63 of age to determine antibodies produced against OVA. At d 63 of age, calves were administered an intradermal injection of OVA (1 mg) in the neck to assess cell-mediated immunity, which was determined on d 65 of age by measuring nodule size with calipers. Circulating alpha-tocopherol concentrations were increased at both 24 h (P = 0.001) and at the day of initial OVA challenge (P < 0.001) in SYN and NAT compared with CON calves. No differences were detected (P > 0.05) for calf birth BW, ADG, or weaning BW. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in calf serum total IgG or cow colostrum total IgG at 24 h or presence of CD14 and CD18 receptors at d 19 of age. The NAT calves had a greater antigen response to OVA at d 63 than SYN calves (P = 0.01; treatment x day interaction). As an indicator of cell-mediated immunity to OVA, nodule size at 65 d of age was not affected (P = 0.92) by maternal dietary supplementation. In conclusion, calves suckling cows supplemented with natural- and synthetic-source vitamin E had increased circulating concentrations of alpha-tocopherol at 24 h, which appeared to continue throughout maternal supplementation; however, calf immune function and performance were not affected.
Horn
M J
MJ
Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
Van Emon
M L
ML
Gunn
P J
PJ
Eicher
S D
SD
Lemenager
R P
RP
Burgess
J
J
Pyatt
N
N
Lake
S L
SL
D000821:Animal Feed; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D000833:Animals, Suckling; D002417:Cattle / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D003126:Colostrum / Q000737:chemistry; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D015430:Weight Gain; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol