B-Vitamin Levels in the Blood of Young Dairy Calves Fed a Milk Replacement Diet with and without Aureomycin1,2

Abstract

Summary The blood levels of thiamine, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, niacin, and vitamin B 12 activity were determined for ten male and ten female Holstein calves at 4 days of age. No significant differences between sexes were observed. Eight Holstein calves at 4 days of age were placed on a milk replacement diet and were assigned to two comparable groups, one of which received aureomycin orally (40mg. daily per calf for 7 weeks, 80mg. daily per calf from 8 to 12 weeks) while the other served as a control. Venous blood samples drawn at the beginning of the experiment and at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks thereafter were analyzed for thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, and vitamin B 12 . No significant differences in the blood levels of these vitamins were found between the two groups of animals. Moreover, no apparent differences were observed between male and female calves. Certain trends in the B-vitamin blood levels with age are evident.