The vitamin A requirement and the vitamin A status of growing cattle. 2. Studies of fattening cattle

Three long time individual feeding experiments (greater than 258 days) with 48 beef cattle each (dairy breed and beef breed, 50% each) were carried out in order to measure the influence of various vitamin A supply (0, 2,500, 5,000 and 10,000 IU vitamin A per 100 kg body weight and day) on fattening and slaughtering performance, vitamin A concentration of liver and serum as well as carotene concentration of serum. The bulls consumed corn silage (experiments 1 and 2; 9.4 and 18.3 mg carotene per kg dry matter) or NaOH-treated and pelleted straw (experiment 3; no carotene). The roughages were supplemented with 2 (exp. 1 and 2) and 3 kg (exp. 3) concentrate per day. The vitamin A supply of corn silage diet did not significantly influence the dry matter intake (exp. 1: means: 6.95; 6.91 to 7.05; exp. 2: means: 6.54; 6.53 to 6.54 kg dry matter per animal and day) and the daily weight gain of bulls (exp. 1: means: 1076; 1028 to 1157; exp. 2: means: 1058; 1041 to 1057 g per animal). The bulls consumed 8.87 kg dry matter per day, the daily weight gain amounted to 1030 g per animal and day in experiment 3. The bulls of unsupplemented group reduced feed intake and weight gain after 150 days, an additional vitamin A supply was necessary. At the end of experiments 1 and 2 the liver vitamin A concentration of unsupplemented groups amounted to 38.8 and 65.9 mumol/kg, it increased after vitamin A supply (up to 153.4 mumol/kg). Feeding of pelleted straw effected a liver vitamin A concentration lower than 10 mumol/kg except the group supplemented with 10,000 IU vitamin A per 100 kg body weight and day (35.7 mumol per kg fresh matter of liver). The vitamin A concentration of blood is unsuitable for evaluation of vitamin A status of cattle. The carotene content of feeds and level of vitamin A supply determined the carotene concentration of blood. Recommendations for a suitable vitamin A supply of ration of growing cattle were given depending on body weight and type of diet.     

The effectiveness of oral and parenteral vitamin A doses in growing cattle with different vitamin A supplies]

The effect of one single oral or parenterally administered dose of 1 million IU vitamin A on the vitamin A depot in the liver and on blood plasma vitamin A concentrations was investigated in 3 individual feeding experiments with involvement of 18 and 24 calves or 24 fattening bulls. 50% of all animals in each of the 3 experiments received feed without any vitamin A through 108 or 112 or 209 days, prior to vitamin A administration, or received 10.000 IU/100 kg live weight and day. Parenteral vitamin A administration in either group yielded rise in blood plasma from 0.06--0.35 to 26.2--30.2 mumol/l, after 1 or 2 days. The maximum value measured after oral administration was 1.9 mumol/l. Most of the plasma values had returned to normal (0.6--12. mumol/l) within 14 days from administration. Oral and parenteral vitamin A doses, after 14 days, caused significant rise in vitamin A concentrations in the liver (from 15.5 to 82.5), with the increase resulting from parenteral administration (from 13.7 to 99.1) being clearly higher than that resulting from oral administration (from 17.3 to 65.9 mumol/kg fresh liver tissue). The same trends were recorded from recovery of vitamin A from the liver (26.8% after parenteral administration versus 15.0% in the wake of oral doses). Storage in and recovery from vitamin-A depleted animals were below values recorded from young cattle with sufficient vitamin A supply. These findings are likely to confirm that one single parenteral vitamin A administration was of clearly higher effectiveness, as compared to oral application.     

Effect of graduated vitamin D3 doses and different ration composition on the 25OH-vitamin D3 plasma concentration and fattening and slaughter production of bulls]

In a individual feeding experiment (348 days) 24 fattening bulls were given either a ration high in roughage (2.8 kg concentrate mixture, wheat straw ad libitum: group I) or high in concentrate (5.6 kg concentrate mixture, wheat straw ad libitum group II) supplemented with various levels of vitamin D3 (0, 250, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 4,000 and 8,000 IU per 100 kg body weight (bw) and day) and minerals as required. After 58, 101, 134, 172, 205, 277 and 340 days 25-OH-D3 plasma concentration was estimated. Fattening and slaughtering parameters were measured. The 25OH-D3 plasma concentration was significantly influenced by vitamin D3 supply, kind of ration and day of taking samples. 25-OH-D3 plasma concentration decreased below 5 ng per ml when vitamin D3 supply was less than or equal to 250 IU per 100 kg bw and day. The initial plasma levels were maintained when 500 IU vitamin D3 per 100 kg bw and day was given (6.6 ng per ml). Administration of greater than or equal to 1,000 IU per 100 kg bw and day increased 25OH-D3 plasma level (greater than 10 ng/ml). Plasma 25OH-D3 concentration was significant higher when bulls consumed diets rich in concentrate (10.6 and 18.2 ng/ml for I and II after 340th day). Differences in content of cell walls and crude fat of rations may be responsible for results. Daily weight gain of bulls amounted to 712 and 945 g when fed diets I or II. Dry matter intake and live weight gain were not significantly influenced by different vitamin D3 supply. Clinical symptoms of rachitis did not appear.     

The vitamin A supply of laying hens including during rearing. 1. Testing of mixed feed with a varied vitamin A supplementation in chicks and young hens

In seven experiments with 46,310 young animals from hatching to the 21st week the vitamin A supplement varied between 0 and 10,000 IU per kg mixed feed. Feed intake was significantly diminished in three out of seven experiments when chicken feed was given without vitamin A supplement. In the young chicken period 1,500 IU vitamin A supplement were sufficient for optimal body weight development, in the young hen period native carotene was sufficient. The variation of the body weight of the individual animals on the 126th day did not show any connection with vitamin A supply. The carotene content of the rations was sufficient to prevent deficiency symptoms. The livers and yolk sacs of one-day-old chickens on average contained 114 and 56 IU vitamin A/g substance when the parents had received mixed feed with 15,000 IU vitamin A/kg. There is a positive relation between the vitamin A supply of the young chickens and hens and the vitamin A content of the liver.     

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.     

Vitamin A requirement of growing swine. 1. Effect of vitamin A supply on growth of piglets and fattening swine

For the purpose of ascertaining the vitamin A requirement seven experiments with 303 pigs in the live weight range between 6.5 and 114 kg were made. In three experiments under in practice conditions we checked the standard vitamin A supplement to the mixed feed with 1,732 pigs (live weight range between 8.5 and 110 kg). The supplement to vitamin-A-free rations and to those poor in or free of carotene amounted to between 0 and 8,000 IU/kg feed. Above that, between 0 and 16 mg beta-carotene and 1,000 mg nitrite/kg feed were supplemented. As long as the vitamin A store in the liver during weaning amounted to greater than 50 IU and greater than 100 IU/g at the beginning of fattening, feed intake, live weight growth and feed expenditure were not influenced by the supplement of vitamin and provitamin resp. The supplement of 250 IU resulted in the same weight growth from weaning to the end of fattening as that of 4,000 IU. Nitrite supplement had a negative effect at 250 IU, at 500 IU vitamin A consumption and weight growth tended to be only insignificantly lower. The methaemoglobin content decreasing in the course of the experiment reflects the adaptation of the pigs to the nitrite load. The consumption and growth depression caused by vitamin A deficiency could be observed from the 7th week of the experiment when casein-swelling starch rations were fed, but from the 13th week of the experiment only when cereal-soybean oilmeal rations were fed. The weight of liver, spleen, kidneys, heart and brain was not influenced by vitamin A supply. The same applies to the body composition and retention with the exception of two deficiency piglets, which contained less fat in the empty body than the control animals.     

The effect of administration of vitamin E on levels of serum immunoglobulins and levels of phagocytic activity]

The effect of peroral administration and parenteral implantation of vitamin E was followed as exerted on the concentration of total serum immunoglobulins and phagocytic activity of blood leucocytes in calves. Twelve calves at the age of maximally 14 days with the average live weight of 41.2 kg were included in an experiment with peroral administration; six of them were given Combinal E (Tocoferolum aceticum 40 mg in 1 ml) at a dose of 20 mg tocopherol acetate per kg live weight. Sixteen calves at the age of three months and with the average live weight of 112.6 kg were included in the second trial. The Erevit preparation was implanted intramuscularly to eight calves at the same dose as in the first experiment (Tocoferolum aceticum 300 mg in 1 ml solutions oleosae). The animals of control groups in both experiments were administered sunflower oil as a placebo, namely at the same amount as the above-mentioned preparations (no oil treatment for peroral administration, heat and pressure treatments of oil for intramuscular implantation). All the preparations lead to a significant increase in vitamin E concentrations in the blood plasma of calves in both experiments, the highest average level being recorded in 24 hours after administration (8.05, and/or 5.51 mumol/l; Tabs. I and IV). The level of total serum immunoglobulins was not influenced by vitamin E supplementation; this level remained below the physiological range of values in calves with peroral administration during the whole time of observation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Vitamin A requirement of growing swine. 2. Effect of the vitamin A supply on the vitamin A concentrations in the liver and plasma of piglets and fattening swine

In 9 experiments the vitamin A content of the livers of 64 newborn (still births and deaths up to 48 h p.p.) and 69 weaned piglets, 122 growers and 110 fattening pigs was investigated after slaughtering or autopsy. Liver samples were taken from 78 growers by means of biopsy after latarotomy. A fluorometric analysis of the plasma vitamin A level was made. At the time of birth the vitamin A content of the piglet livers was less than 100 IU/g and did not show any differences between the experiments. At the time of weaning, however, the livers of piglets from large-scale production showed a three times higher content (175 IU/g liver) in comparison to those from traditional production. Highly significant linear relations were established between the vitamin A content of the feed and the liver. According to these, a liver content of vitamin A of approximately equal to 30 IU/g is ensured by approximately equal to 2,000 IU in weaning piglets and by approximately equal to 800 IU vitamin A/kg feed in fattening pigs. The vitamin A activity of the beta-carotene in weaners was ascertained as less than 100 IU/mg. The plasma vitamin A level indicated the vitamin A status only in the range of deficient supply. A different plasma content could not be detected between 1,000 and 4,000 IU vitamin A/kg feed. According to this, a semilogarithmic relation was calculated according to the model of a saturation curve between the vitamin A content of the plasma and the liver. The threshold value for the decrease of the plasma level under 45 IU vitamin A/dl is 35 IU/g liver. Due to the low definiteness measure (B = 0.52) the relation cannot be applied to the individual animal. A contamination of 1,000 mg nitrite/kg feed had a low, and in the course of the experiment decreasing, influence on the vitamin A content of plasma and liver.     

维生素A水平对生长猪生产性能、肝脏维生素A含量和血清免疫参数的影响

试验研究饲粮添加不同水平维生素A(VA) (0、1300、2600、5000、10000、15000IU/kg)对22 -50kg生长猪生产性能、胴体品质、胴体无脂瘦肉增重、肝脏和血浆中VA含量、血清免疫参数的影响。结果表明 ,添加VA1300 -10000IU/kg 提高了日增重 (P>0.05)、极显著地降低料重比 (P<0.01) ;但VA添加水平从1300IU/kg增加至10000IU/kg,料重比显著提高 (P<0.05) ,采食量也极显著提高 (P<0.01)。各组屠宰率、瘦肉率、脂肪率、背膘厚、胴体瘦肉成分都无显著差异 (P>0.05) ,眼肌面积则随VA水平的升高而趋于增大(P>0.05)。胴体瘦肉和无脂瘦肉日增重在添加VA1300IU/kg 和10000IU/kg两组间很接近 ,而且优于其它组 (P<0.05)。随着VA水平的提高 ,肝脏中VA含量极显著提高 (P<0.01) ,至添加VA10000IU/kg组最高 ,之后略下降 ;添加VA有使血浆中VA含量升高的趋势 (P>0.05)。各组血清中IgG、IgA、IgM含量都无显著差异 (P>0.05) ,添加VA使T淋巴细胞中CD3+ 和CD8+ 亚群比例趋于升高 (P>0.05),随着添加VA水平提高 ,血清T淋巴细胞中CD4+/CD8+比值趋于下降 ,至添加VA10000IU/kg 组最低 ,在VA15000IU/kg 组又明显上升 (P>0.05)。以肝脏中VA含量为指标 ,生长猪VA适宜水平为在基础饲料上添加10000IU/kg ,但根据生产性能等其它指标 ,添加1300IU     

The vitamin A supply of laying hens including during rearing. 2. Effect of varied vitamin A supplementation of mixed feed in rearing on production in the laying period

In six experiments with laying hybrids the influence of a varied nutritive beta-carotene and vitamin A supply during rearing on the performance in the laying period was tested. Basal rations poor in carotene without vitamin A supplementation in the rearing period diminished feed intake and laying performance in the laying period, retarded the beginning of intensive laying and increased feed expenditure per 100 g egg if the feed for laying hens contained less than 5000 IU vitamin A per kg. Relations between varied vitamin A supply and the performance parameters of the laying performance could not be proved if chick and young hen feed with maize even without vitamin A supplement or if rearing feed with approximately 2500 IU vitamin A or laying hen feed greater than 5000 IU vitamin A supply were used.     

The use of mixed feed with reduced content of vitamin A, E and nicotinic acid in the fattening of cairinas

In three fattening experiments with 1344 male cairinas (Cairina moschata domestica L.) from hatching to the 77th day vitamin A supplement was reduced to 2500 IU/kg feed from hatching to the 21st day and to 1250 IU/kg feed from the 22nd to the 77th day. There was no supplementation of the feed with vitamin E or nicotinic acid. The reduction and elimination of the vitamin supplements on average did not have significant effects on fattening performance, feed intake, body weight, feed conversion and losses of animals in the starter and fattening periods. In the fattening period there was a tendency towards a higher intake and expenditure of feed in two experiments. Presumably the supplementation of 1250 IU/kg mixed feed is not always sufficient for an optimal fattening performance. In three production experiments with 33,850 cairinas no disadvantageous influence on fattening performance could be ascertained after a supplementation of 4,000 IU in the starter feed and 2,000 IU vitamin A in the fattening feed.     

Effects of rapeseed-press cake glucosinolates and iodine on the performance, the thyroid gland and the liver vitamin A status of pigs.

Rapeseed press cake (per kg DM 181 g EE, 341 g CP and 23.3 mmol glucosinolates) was tested in a long-term experiment with a total of sixty pigs (live weight range 24 to 104 kg). The 3 x 2 factorial design consisted of three rapeseed press cake levels (no rapeseed press cake--control, 75 g or 150 g rapeseed press cake per kg diet) each with two iodine dosages (125 or 250 micrograms supplementary iodine per kg diet). Reduced feed intake and depressed weight gain were found in groups receiving 150 g rapeseed press cake per kg diet, which correspond to 3.2 mmol glucosinolates per kg diet. At an inclusion level of 75 g rapeseed-press cake per kg diet no differences in feed intake and growth intensity were recorded in comparison to the rape feed free control. The rapeseed-press cake diet increased the weight of thyroid gland and liver and decreased the serum thyroxine (T4) concentration. Higher iodine dosage increased the serum T4 concentration of pigs receiving 75 g rapeseed press cake per kg diet (= 1.6 mmol glucosinolates per kg diet) to the level of the control group and retarded the enlargement of the thyroid gland. Intake of rapeseed products lowered the iodine content of the thyroid gland, however, there was no significant difference between groups given 1.6 and 3.2 mmol glucosinolates per kg diet. The vitamin A content of the whole liver and the vitamin A serum concentration were not influenced by the diets tested. However, rapeseed press cake and the glucosinolates, respectively, decreased the vitamin A concentration per gram liver due to the organ enlargement and the resulting dilution effect.     

The vitamin A requirement of fattening cairina

In two experiments with 420 male cairina (Cairina moschata domestica L.) semisynthetic rations were used with vitamin A supplements between 0 and 10,000IU per kg feed. Clinical deficiency symptoms, such as coordination disturbances or horny growths at the oesophagus glands, could be prevented in the starter period up to 3rd week with 500IU vitamin A and in the fattening period between the 4th and 10th/11th weeks with a 250IU vitamin A supplement per kg feed. Cairina achieved an optimal fattening performance under the conditions tested with 1,000 IU in the starter period and with 500 IU vitamin A supplement in the fattening period. Under consideration of the vitamin A storage in the liver and a safety supplement of 4000 IU vitamin A per kg start feed (0-3 weeks) and 2,000 IU vitamin A per kg fattening feed (4-11 weeks) is suggested as requirement norm and mixed feed supplement.     

Effects of vitamin E and different energy sources on vitamin E status, milk quality and reproduction in transition cows

We investigated whether vitamin E supplementation and supplemental energy sources (fat or starch) influenced plasma and milk levels of vitamin E, and reproductive and other parameters in 28 Italian Friesian multiparous dry cows. From 14 days before expected calving to 7 days after, the animals were assigned to either basal diet (containing 1000 IU/day of vitamin E) or an extra 1000 IU/day of vitamin E (total 2000 IU). In addition they received either 0.5 kg/day of corn or 0.2 kg/day of calcium soaps. Plasma samples were collected 4 days before expected calving and 4 days after calving and analysed for alpha-tocopherol and cholesterol. Milk yield as well as the composition, somatic cell count (SCC) and alpha-tocopherol of milk were determined 7 and 14 days after calving. Milk yield and composition were unaffected by treatments. SCC was significantly lower in (SCC Log 4.62 versus Log 5.1, P < 0.01) 2000 IU/day animals than in the 1000 IU/day group. Milk alpha-tocopherol was higher (P < 0.001) in animals receiving 2000 IU/day (1.11 vs. 0.65 microgram/ml, P < 0.01). Plasma alpha-tocopherol in animals receiving 2000 IU/day was also higher (P < 0.001) than in cows receiving 1000 IU/day (4.85 vs. 3.25 micrograms/ml), but was not affected by dietary energy source. Number of services and days to conception were lower (P < 0.01) in the 2000 IU vitamin E supplemented cows. To conclude, dietary vitamin E supplementation to periparturient dairy cows increased plasma and milk vitamin E, decreased SCC in milk, and improved fertility but different energy sources had no effect on any measured variable.     

Energy requirements of young female cattle. 6. Energy requirements

Results taken from 6 experiments with young female cattle comprising 477 metabolism periods served the derivation of the animals energy requirement in the development range greater than 125 kg live weight according to the factorial method. The energy requirement per kg LW0.75 and day, calculated from metabolism data, was independent of the stage of development and the intensity of feeding. It averaged 455 +/- 66 kJ metabolizable energy/kg LW0.75.d and 250 +/- 37 kJ NEFcattle/kg LW0.75.d respectively. The partial energy requirement for live weight gain, expressed in net energy fat, was equivalent to the energy content of the live weight gain. Energy retention and thus energy requirement per kg live weight gain increased with the live weight and reached a maximum of 26 MJ. Energy retention per kg live weight gain largely depended on the intensity of feeding and the stage of gravidity. Restrictive energy supply and progressing gravidity decreased energy content in the weight gain. The influences mentioned were taken into consideration on the derivation of the partial requirement for live weight gain. Equations were developed for the estimation of the energy requirement of young female cattle, which can be applied to both gravid and non-gravid cattle.     

Effect of selenium and vitamin E on oxidative stress in lambs experimentally infected with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Haemonchus contortus</Emphasis>

The objective of this study was to evaluate oxidative stress in lambs experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus and supplemented with selenium and vitamin E. Twenty male Corriedale lambs were divided into four experimental groups with five animals each: G1 consisted of animals infected and supplemented with 0.2 mg/kg of live weight (LW) sodium selenite by intramuscular injection (IM); G2 consisted of animals infected with larvae and supplemented with 0.2 mg/kg LW sodium selenite IM and 2000 IU per animal of Vitamin E IM; G3 consisted of animals infected with larvae and supplemented with 2000 IU per animal of Vitamin E IM; and G4 consisted of animals infected with larvae. The animals were infected orally with 500 H. contortus larvae (L3) every 48 hours for 20 days. For biochemical analyses and eggs per grams of feces (EPG) evaluation, blood and feces were both collected at zero (T0), 20 (T1), 40 (T2) and 60 (T3) days. The weight of the animals was also measured at these times. Lower TBARS values were observed in the supplemented animals compared to the control group. The groups supplemented with Selenium exhibited blood GSH-Px activity higher than that of non-supplemented animals. Supplementation with selenium provided greater antioxidant protection against oxidative stress generated from experimental infection of lambs with H. contortus.     

日粮添加不同水平维生素A对2～3月龄肉兔生长发育、组织沉积及脂质过氧化反应的影响

选用2月龄新西兰肉兔50只,随机分成5个处理,在基础日粮中添加不同水平的维生素A(3000、6000、12000、24000IU/kg),试验期23d。结果表明,日粮维生素A添加水平对生长肉兔料重比影响显著(P<0.05),对平均日增重(ADG)和平均日采食量(ADI)无显著影响(P>0.05);维生素A添加水平达6000IU/kg时,ADG和料重比最佳。维生素A添加水平对试验兔胸腺指数和脾脏指数影响不显著(P>0.05)。肝脏维生素A含量随着日粮维生素A添加水平的提高显著升高。日粮添加维生素A能极显著提高血清抗氧化酶活性。2～3月龄生长肉兔日粮维生素A添加水平以6000IU/kg为宜,过量可使生产性能下降,增加机体的氧化损伤。     

Vitamin D3 supplementation of beef steers increases longissimus tenderness.

The objectives of these experiments were to determine 1) the effectiveness of supplemental vitamin D3 (VITD) on altering plasma and muscle calcium levels, 2) whether VITD supplementation improves Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBS) values of steaks from feedlot beef steers, and 3) the tenderness response curve of longissimus steaks from steers supplemented with VITD. In Exp. 1, 20 crossbred steers were assigned randomly to one of four treatment diets consisting of either 0, 2.5, 5.0, or 7.5 x 106 IU of VITD per day for 10 d. Blood samples were obtained daily during this supplementation period and 5 d thereafter (d 11 to 15). Between d 6 and 13, a linear increase (P < .01) in ionized plasma calcium concentrations was observed in steers supplemented with VITD. Compared to unsupplemented steers, serum calcium concentrations of the steers receiving 7.5 x 106 IU of VITD per day were increased 8 to 48%. In Exp. 2, longissimus samples from crossbred steers (n = 118) that were supplemented with either 0 or 5 x 106 IU of VITD per day for 7 d were obtained and aged for 7, 14, or 21 d. Following the initial 7-d postmortem aging period, VITD supplementation lowered (P < .01) WBS (.58 kg) and increased sensory tenderness rating (.6 units) compared to cuts originating from unsupplemented steers. In Exp. 3, 44 steers were supplemented with either 0 or 7.5 x 106 IU of VITD per day for 10 d immediately prior to slaughter. Results indicated that plasma and longissimus calcium concentration were higher (P < .05) for steers that received supplemental VITD. Compared with unsupplemented cuts, VITD supplementation improved WBS of cuts aged for either 7 or 14 d (P = .02 and P = .07, respectively). Sensory panelists rated samples from VITD supplemented steers as more tender than their unsupplemented counterparts. Activation of calpain proteases could be responsible for the observed tenderization due to the supplementation of VITD.     

维生素A和维生素E水平对北京鸭前期生产性能的影响

本试验采用5×2完全随机试验设计,5个维生素A(VA)添加水平(0、2500、5000、10000IU/kg和15000IU/kg),2个维生素E(VE)添加水平10mg/kg和100mg/kg,360只1日龄北京鸭随机分为10个处理组,研究不同水平VA、VE对北京鸭生产性能的影响。结果表明,VA的添加可显著提高北京鸭生长前期的平均日增重和平均日采食量(P0.01);对料肉比的影响差异不显著(P0.05),VE水平对北京鸭前期生产性能无显著影响(P0.05);建议北京鸭生长前期VA的适宜添加量为5000～10000IU/kg,VE为10mg/kg。     

Effect of dietary vitamin A, ascorbic acid and their interaction on turkey bone mineralisation.

At early ages, added dietary ascorbic acid did not affect growth or femur mineralisation of poults. In poults after 8 and 12 weeks, femur mass was reduced by 3000 mg ascorbic acid per kg diet. 2. Plasma calcium and magnesium were not influenced differently by 1000, 4000 and 16,000 IU vitamin A/kg diet, but plasma phosphorus was decreased by the 16,000 level. 3. Vitamin A at 1000 or 16,000 IU/kg diet reduced growth in both sexes to 12 weeks of age compared with the NRC recommended 4000 IU/kg diet. In males, the growth retardation continued to 18 weeks. 4. Vitamin A at 16,000 IU/kg reduced femur development as measured by femur weight to body weight or to femur length ratios.