The Vitamin A and E Forms Influence Differently the Plasma Vitamin Concentrations in Newly Received Calves

Lorenzo Buenabad,Alberto Barreras,Alejandro Plascencia,Richard Avery Zinn

doi:10.3844/ajavsp.2021.166.171

Abstract

Ten Holstein steer calves (105±3 kg) were used to evaluate bioavailability of two Vitamin A or E forms, “natural” (EA1) or “synthetic” (EA2), based on plasma vitamin concentrations during a 3-d period post injection(subcutaneous). Plasma retinyl palmitate and plasma Vitamin A concentration (retinol equivalent of all forms) was greater 24 and 48 h (P<0.01) post injection of retinyl palmitate vs retinyl propionate. Likewise, plasma retinol was greater (P = 0.04) 72 h post injection of retinyl palmitate. Plasma retinyl propionate was undetected for either treatment, indicative that it is not absorbed as a parent compound. Plasma retinyl palmitate, retinol and total Vitamin A concentrations peaked 24 h (P<0.01) post injection, decreasing toward baseline levels by 72 h post injection. Plasma tocopherol concentration was greater 24 h post injection (P<0.01) for calves injected with D-α-tocopherol vs DL-α-tocopherol. Levels were not different among treatments 48 h post injection (P>0.10). Plasma tocopherol concentrations were maximal (P<0.01) 24 h post injection of D-α-tocopherol, promptly decreasing by 72 h post injection (a level comparable to that observed with DL-α-tocopherol injection). We concluded that based on plasma concentrations, bioavailability of parenterally supplemented retinyl palmitate and D-α-tocopherol are greater than that of retinyl propionate and DL-α-tocopherol under acute Vitamin A or E supplementation.

Highlights

Cattle suffer oxidative stress from physiological stressors, food deprivation and physical exertion resulting in the activation of signaling pathways that lead to generation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in response to transit and handling (Deters and Hansen, 2020)
Fresh feed was provided twice daily (0600 and 1400 h). Treatments and their dosage used in current trail were: Vitamin A and E “natural” form (EA1) 500,000 IU Vitamin A as retinyl palmitate, 50,000 IU vitamin D3 and 1,500 IU Vitamin E as D-α-tocopherol (5.0 cc Vital E®-A + D, Stuart products, Bedford, TX) or Vitamin A and E “synthetic” form (EA2) 500,000 IU Vitamin A as retinyl propionate; 50,000 IU vitamin D3 and 1,500 IU Vitamin E as DL-α-tocopherol/cc (5.0 cc VitaJec EA-D RXV Products, Porterville, CA)
Retinyl propionate was not detected in plasma of retinyl palmitate or retinyl propionate treated calves, indicative that it was not absorbed as a parent compound and metabolized into retinol (Bjerke et al, 2021)

Summary

Introduction

Cattle suffer oxidative stress from physiological stressors, food deprivation and physical exertion resulting in the activation of signaling pathways that lead to generation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in response to transit and handling (Deters and Hansen, 2020). Supplemental antioxidants delay or inhibit oxidation of the oxidizable substrates (Betteridge, 2000) that play an important role for the immune defense and health of stressed cattle (McDowell, 2000; Mattioli et al, 2020). Antioxidants such as Vitamin E and β-carotene are considered chain-breaking antioxidant (Betteridge, 2000; McDowell, 2000; Baj et al, 2019). The objective of the present study was to compare bioavailability of combinations of retinyl palmitate and D-α-tocopherol versus retinyl propionate and DL-αtocopherol following parenteral supplementation in newly received calf-fed Holstein calves

Objectives

Methods

Results