Plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances,vitamin A and vitamin E levels and resumption of postpartum ovarian activity in dairy cows

Vitamins with antioxidative functions are commonly used as supplements to improve fertility in dairy cows. However, according to field test results uncertainty exists about the effect of these vitamins, especially in vitamin A and vitamin E, on ovarian functional activity. This study was performed to reveal the physiological characteristics of cows receiving enough feed and the ovaries of which were activated in the early postpartum period. Six of 12 primiparous cows showing the corpus luteum on 25 to 27 days after parturition were classified as early responders (PER); the remaining six were classified as late responders (PLR). Among 11 multiparous cows, nine were early responders (MER), and the remaining two were late responders (MLR). Plasma concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the PER were lower than those in the PLR (P < 0.01). The ratio of plasma all‐trans‐retinol to intake α‐tocopherol or β‐carotene were increased in the following order: MER < PER < PLR (P < 0.01). The milk lactose (P < 0.025) and plasma glucose (P < 0.01) of the early responders tended to be lower than those of the late responders. These may have been associated with the availability of vitamins or energy balance. Thus, we suggest the possibility that the cows which were able to utilize antioxidants and energy from the feed efficiently may have earlier resumption of ovaries postpartum.     

维生素A和β-胡萝卜素在反刍动物中的应用

文中简要介绍了维生素A和β-胡萝卜素的营养生理功能,重点综述了维生素A和β-胡萝卜素对反刍动物繁殖、免疫和生产性能的影响。     

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.     

Plasma vitamin A status in calves fed colostrum from cows that were fed vitamin A during late pregnancy

Calves are born vitamin A and β‐carotene deficient and the β‐carotene conversion to vitamin A is limited. Colostrum, contains relatively large amounts of vitamin A and β‐carotene and the retinol and β‐carotene status of calves can be normalized with colostrum consumption. We studied whether vitamin A supplementation of cows during late gestation (dry period) increases cow plasma retinol concentrations, the retinol content of first colostrum, and the plasma vitamin A status of calves during their first month of life. Both plasma and colostrum retinol concentrations were higher in vitamin A supplemented cows than in non‐supplemented cows. In calves that were for 5 days fed colostrum (milk) from vitamin A‐supplemented cows and then mature milk, plasma retinol concentrations were higher from 14 to 30 days after birth than in calves that were fed colostrum (milk) from cows that were not vitamin A supplemented. The study shows that vitamin A supplementation of cows during the dry period can improve the vitamin A status of their calves up to 1 month, if calves ingest their colostrum/milk for up to 5 days.     

Plasma vitamin E and blood selenium concentrations in Norwegian dairy cows: regional differences and relations to feeding and health

Plasma alpha-tocopherol (vit E) and blood selenium (Se) concentrations in February were determined in samples from 314 dairy cows in Norway, selected to provide a representative subset of the Norwegian dairy cow population. Each sample was followed by a questionnaire with information about feeding of the cow at the time of sampling. The results were correlated to herd data and to calving and health data for each cow from the Norwegian Dairy Herd Recording System and the Norwegian Cattle Health Recording System. The mean concentrations were 6.9 microg vit E per ml plasma and 0.16 microg Se per g blood. Both levels were highest in mid lactation. Plasma vit E varied with the amount of silage fed to the cow, while blood Se varied with the amount of concentrates and mineral supplements, and with geographical region. No differences in vit E or Se levels were found between cows with recorded treatments for mastitis, parturient paresis or reproductive disorders in the lactation during or immediately prior to sampling, and those without such treatments. For ketosis, a small difference in blood Se was found between the groups with or without recorded treatments. It is concluded that winter-fed lactating cows in Norway had an adequate plasma level of vit E and a marginal-to-adequate level of Se.     

Association of endometritis and ovarian follicular cyst with mastitis in dairy cows

The occurrence of multiple metabolic and inflammatory diseases in dairy cows is higher during the periparturient period, which may be triggered by bacterial components, but not a viable bacterium. This study aimed to determine the association of endometritis and ovarian follicular cyst (OFC) with mastitis in dairy cows. Ninety-eight Holstein dairy cows were clinically examined for endometritis and OFC approximately 30–50 days after calving. Blood and milk samples were collected for the determination of milk somatic cell count (SCC); milk interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) concentrations; and plasma haptoglobin (Hp) and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) concentrations. Of the 98 dairy cows included in this study, 12 were diagnosed with endometritis and 37 cows were identified as OFC-positive, whereas the remaining 49 cows were healthy (without endometritis or OFC). The average and maximum SCCs and plasma Hp and LBP concentrations were not significantly different between the healthy cows and those with endometritis or OFC. However, when the maximum SCC was classified as <300, 300–1,000, or >1,000 × 10³ cells/ml, the percentage of cows with the maximum SCC <300 × 10³ cells/ml was significantly lower in the endometritis and OFC-positive groups than in the healthy group. These results suggested that cows with endometritis and OFC during the postpartum period exhibit high SCC, indicating that some bacterial components can be transferred between organs.     

Plasma progesterone and gonadotrophin concentrations following norgestomet treatment with and without cloprostenol in beef cows

Twelve Hereford cross Friesian cows received subcutaneous implants containing 6 mg norgestomet and intramuscular injections of 5 mg oestradiol valerate and 3 mg norgestomet. Six of the cows also received 0.5 mg cloprostenol eight days later and all implants were removed on day 9. When treatment was commenced between days 3 and 5 of the ovarian cycle, luteal function was not prevented although the luteal phase was shortened in some cases. When treatment was commenced between days 8 and 14 of the cycle progesterone concentrations remained above basal levels for five to seven days. Cows with corpora lutea that were given cloprostenol underwent rapid luteolysis. It is concluded that oestradiol valerate does not control luteal function adequately, particularly if administered early in the cycle, and this may explain failure of oestrus synchronisation in some cases. Administration of prostaglandin 24 hours before norgestomet implant removal may improve the degree of oestrus synchronisation in groups of cyclic cows.     

Effects of vitamin A and beta-carotene on reproductive performance in gilts

The effects of vitamin A and beta-carotene on various reproductive parameters were examined in 108 crossbred gilts. Gilts were fed a diet free of vitamin A and beta-carotene for 5 wk, then assigned to one of eight treatments. Statistical comparisons were performed on three sub-groupings of these treatments as follows: (1) DEFICIENT (received 2,100 IU of vitamin A X head-1 X d-1, (2) FED (received dietary supplementation of 0, 2,100 or 12,300 IU vitamin A and (or) 0, 32.6 or 65.2 mg beta-carotene X head-1 X d-1) or (3) INJECTED (received injection supplementation of 0 or 12,300 IU vitamin A and 32.6 mg beta-carotene X head-1 X d-1, administered once weekly). Gilts remained on treatment through weaning of litters at 21 d postpartum. Plasma vitamin A and beta-carotene levels were greatly elevated in INJECTED gilts. Concentrations of these compounds in plasma were similar between DEFICIENT and FED gilts. There was no treatment difference in number of corpora lutea/gilt. Embryonic mortality was lowest (P less than .01 to .02) in INJECTED gilts (14 +/- 3%) compared with DEFICIENT (29 +/- 5%) or FED (25 +/- 3%) gilts. Baby pig mortality averaged 6 +/- 1% and was not different among treatments. INJECTED gilts had more (P less than .05 to .01) piglets/litter at birth and at weaning (9.5 +/- .3 and 9.0 +/- .3 piglets/litter, respectively) than DEFICIENT (7.9 +/- .5 and 7.6 +/- .5 piglets/litter) or FED gilts (8.7 +/- .3 and 8.1 +/- .3 piglets/litter).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Plasma progesterone concentrations in dairy cows with cystic ovaries and clinical responses following treatment with fenprostalene

Sixty-two dairy cows diagnosed as having cystic ovarian degeneration were used to study the correlation between rectal palpation findings and plasma progesterone concentrations and the response of cysts to treatment using fenprostalene, a luteolytic agent. Rectal palpation accurately determined the presence of luteal cysts as confirmed by plasma progesterone concentrations of 3 ng/mL or more. Treatment with fenprostalene was very effective for luteal cysts: a high percentage of treated cows exhibited estrus within seven days after treatment. The conception rate following artifical insemination during the induced estrus was 87.5% (21/24). Rectal palpation was much less accurate for the diagnosis of follicular cysts. Cows diagnosed as having follicular cysts had wide variations in plasma progesterone concentrations. Response to fenprostalene treatment was poor in cows with nonluteinized cystic follicles associated with low progesterone concentrations. However, cows diagnosed as having follicular cysts, but with progesterone concentrations of 1 ng/mL or more, responded better to fenprostalene treatment than cows with low progesterone concentrations.

It was concluded that, if correctly diagnosed, luteal cysts can be successfully treated with fenprostalene, and conception rates following treatment can be expected to be normal.

     

The vitamin A activity of beta-carotene in growing pigs. 1. Effect of a supplementation of a grain soya bean meal diet with vitamin A or beta-carotene on the liver vitamin A storage

In 3 experiments with a total of 113 growing pigs, supplements of 1,000 to 9,000 IU vitamin A or 2 to 100 mg beta-carotene to vitamin A and beta-carotene free grains soyabean-meal-diets were tested. The liver samples were taken by biopsy or after slaughtering. The error of biopsy sampling was defined in preliminary experiments. The initial liver vitamin A depots were checked by slaughtering of 5 piglets of each group. The vitamin A content was analyzed by the anhydromethod or fluorometrically. In all 3 experiments, the different vitamin or provitamin intake did not influence feed intake and growth at any time. Highly significant linear relations were found between the intake of vitamin A or beta-carotene and the storage in the liver. Due to the higher relative liver weight, younger animals had a lower vitamin A concentration in this organ. Related to the tested beta-carotene dose of 2, 4, 8, 50 and 100 mg/kg feed, a vitamin A activity of 360, 320, 290, 130 and 80 micrograms retinol equivalents per mg beta-carotene was found. The conversion of beta-carotene into vitamin A decreases inversely to the beta-carotene intake. The vitamin A activity of synthetic beta-carotene which is higher than the beta-carotene analyzed in feedstuffs is discussed.     

Plasma concentrations of cortisol in cows with hypocalcaemia in relation to their responses to treatment with calcium

The mean plasma concentration of cortisol at the time of the first treatment for hypocalcaemia at calving was significantly higher in 17 cows which did not recover, than in 53 cows which recovered. Healthy periparturient cows had significantly lower cortisol levels than cows with hypocalcaemia. There was a negative correlation between plasma cortisol and plasma calcium at the time of the first treatment. After adjustment for differences in plasma calcium there was no significant difference between cortisol concentrations in healthy cows and paretic cows which recovered. Plasma cortisol was positively correlated with both packed cell volume (PCV) and serum creatine kinase (CK). At first treatment cows which did not recover had higher levels of PCV and serum CK than cows which recovered, and the difference between the mean plasma cortisol concentrations of these two groups was related to differences in plasma calcium, PCV and serum CK. Plasma cortisol concentrations remained high in cases of protracted paresis.     

A decrease in blood beta-carotene in dairy cows during late pregnancy period

In four successive seasons of green and winter feeding in the years 1980-1984, beta-carotene concentrations were determined in the plasma of venous blood of 3441 cows in the first phase of lactation, in the other phase of lactation, in the eighth month of pregnancy and in the 9th-9.5th months of pregnancy. The cows in the other phase of lactation had the significantly highest beta-carotene concentrations in the two feeding seasons. In the eighth month of pregnancy there occurs a significant drop that continues also in the 9th-9.5th months of pregnancy. In the first phase of lactation beta-carotene concentrations remained at the level of the values from the 9th-9.5th months of pregnancy. In the period of winter feeding, the mean concentrations of beta-carotene in all groups of cows were deep below the limit value of 7.44 mumol . l-1, which indicated that it was necessary to fortify feeds with vitamin A; in the cows in the 9th-9.5th months of pregnancy and in the cows in the first phase of lactation they were lower than the critical value of 5.58 mumol.l-1, which signaled the disorders of reproduction processes. In the course of the years of investigation beta-carotene concentrations varied in the same manner in all groups of cows in keeping with the vegetation period of the feed, feed kind and quality.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)