The Influence of Tocopherols upon the Mammary and Placental Transfer of Vitamin A in the Sheep, Goat and Pig

Abstract

Supplementing the prepartum ration with 12,000 I.U. of vitamin A daily per 100 lbs. live weight increased the liver stores of vitamin A of the newborn and vitamin A content of the colostrum. Supplementing the prepartum ration with 80 mg. of tocopherols per 100 lbs. live weight increased the liver stores of vitamin A in the newborn lamb but had little effect on the liver storage of vitamin A in the newborn kid and pig. Tocopherol supplementation at the levels fed had no influence on the vitamin A content of the colostrum of the species studied. Tocopherol supplementation in combination with vitamin A had no significant effect on the vitamin A stores of the newborn at birth or on the vitamin A content of colostrum, when compared to those receiving only vitamin A.