Authors
Jesse P Goff, Judith R Stabel
Publication date
1990/11/1
Journal
Journal of Dairy Science
Volume
73
Issue
11
Pages
3195-3199
Publisher
Elsevier
Description
Retinol (vitamin A), α-tocopherol (vitamin E), and Zn are micronutrients essential for health and performance. We determined the effects of parturition, lactation, and periparturient Ca status on plasma retinol, α-tocopherol, and Zn in 18 Jersey cows during the 2 wk before and after parturition. Six cows developed clinical milk fever. Prepartum plasma concentrations of retinol, α-tocopherol, and Zn decreased progressively in all animals. A nadir was reached at 1 d postpartum when concentrations declined to 38, 47, and 67%, respectively, of prepartal baseline concentrations. Plasma Zn returned to baseline concentrations within 3 d of calving, and plasma α-tocopherol returned toward baseline about 10 d after calving. Plasma retinol remained below baseline concentrations throughout the first 2 wk of lactation. The decline in plasma Zn observed at calving was more severe in cows with milk fever (parturient paresis) than …
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Scholar articles
JP Goff, JR Stabel - Journal of Dairy Science, 1990