Effect Of Vitamin Supplementation Research Articles

Effects of supplemental vitamin E and packaging system on the shelf life of venison from red deer (Cervus elaphus) finished off grass or concentrates

On exposure to oxygen, venison discolours at a faster rate than lamb, beef or pork (Trout and Gutzke, 1995) and a short shelf life is a problem for meat retailers. Increasing antioxidants in meat through the diet, and the type of packaging system used, can substantially improve shelf life. This study determined the effects of supplemental vitamin E and packaging system on colour stability and fat rancidity in venison from red deer finished off grass or concentrates.

Effects of supplements of folic acid, vitamin B12, and rumen-protected methionine on whole body metabolism of methionine and glucose in lactating dairy cows

The present experiment was undertaken to determine the effects of dietary supplements of rumen-protected methionine and intramuscular injections of folic acid and vitamin B12, given 3 wk before to 16 wk after calving, on glucose and methionine metabolism of lactating dairy cows. Twenty-four multiparous Holstein cows were assigned to 6 blocks of 4 cows each according to their previous milk production. Within each block, 2 cows were fed a diet estimated to supply methionine as 1.83% metabolizable protein, equivalent to 76% of methionine requirement, whereas the 2 other cows were fed the same diet supplemented daily with 18g of rumen-protected methionine. Within each diet, the cows were administrated either no vitamin supplement or weekly intramuscular injections of 160mg of folic acid plus 10mg of vitamin B12. To investigate metabolic changes at 12 wk of lactation, glucose and methionine kinetics were measured by isotope dilution using infusions of 3[U-13C]glucose, [13C]NaHCO3 and 3[1-13C,2H3] methionine. Milk and plasma concentrations of folic acid and vitamin B12 increased with vitamin injections. Supplementary B-vitamins increased milk production from 34.7 to 38.9±1.0 kg/d and increased milk lactose, protein, and total solids yields. Whole-body glucose flux tended to increase with vitamin supplementation with a similar quantitative magnitude as the milk lactose yield increase. Vitamin supplementation increased methionine utilization for protein synthesis through increased protein turnover when methionine was deficient and through decreased methionine oxidation when rumen-protected methionine was fed. Vitamin supplementation decreased plasma concentrations of homocysteine independently of rumen-protected methionine feeding, although no effect of vitamin supplementation was measured on methionine remethylation, but this could be due to the limitation of the technique used. Therefore, the effects of these B-vitamins on lactation performance were not mainly explained by methionine economy because of a more efficient methylneogenesis but were rather related to increased glucose availability and changes in methionine metabolism.

Population Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Analyses of Pemetrexed and Neutropenia: Effect of Vitamin Supplementation and Differences between Japanese and Western Patients

The objectives of the analysis were to characterize the time course of neutropenia after pemetrexed administration using an established semimechanistic-physiologic model, characterize the relationship between pemetrexed exposure and neutropenia, and describe differences in neutropenic response by vitamin supplementation status and between Japanese and Western patients. An eight-compartment population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model was used to describe the absolute neutrophil count (ANC)-time profile (neutropenic response) following pemetrexed doses of 300 to 1,400 mg/m(2) administered every 21 days. The analyses pooled data from 13 studies including 279 patients (161 supplemented with oral folic acid and intramuscular vitamin B(12), and 118 unsupplemented; 248 Western and 31 Japanese) who received 857 treatment cycles. Vitamin supplementation status, ethnic origin, and drug exposure were the dominant predictors of neutropenic response. Vitamin supplementation diminishes neutropenic response to pemetrexed. Model-predicted ANC nadirs for the "typical" Western patient receiving 500 mg/m(2) pemetrexed +/- vitamin supplementation were 2.74 x 10(9)/L and 1.70 x 10(9)/L, respectively. Japanese patients had a less pronounced neutropenic response to pemetrexed relative to Western patients. The model-predicted ANC nadir for Japanese patients receiving 500 mg/m(2) pemetrexed with vitamin supplementation was 2.66 x 10(9)/L. Values for the 1,000 mg/m(2) dose with vitamin supplementation were 1.91 x 10(9)/L and 1.34 x 10(9)/L for Japanese and Western patients, respectively. Increased albumin, decreased cystathionine, and decreased body surface area were also associated with increased neutropenic response. The neutropenic response to higher pemetrexed doses administered with vitamin supplementation is tolerable. All other factors equal, Japanese patients have a lesser neutropenic response to pemetrexed relative to Western patients.

Effect of dietary supplementation with vitamins E and C on production performance, immune responses and antioxidant status of White Leghorn layers under tropical summer conditions

1. The effects of vitamin E (DL-α-tocopheryl acetate) and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) supplementation on performance, some immune variables and antioxidant status of White Leghorn layers (aged 44–56 weeks) exposed to tropical summer conditions were investigated. 2. Both vitamins E and C significantly improved the egg production, food conversion efficiency, antibody responses to inoculated sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccine, lymphocyte proliferation in response to mitogen and activities of antioxidant enzymes red blood cell catalase (RBCC) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) in layers. Vitamin C increased the inflammatory response to phytohaemagglutinin-P (PHA-P) inoculation. 3. Supplemental vitamin C at 200 mg/kg diet significantly increased eggshell weight, eggshell thickness, and shell breaking strength. However, no effect of supplemental vitamin E on eggshell quality was observed. 4. Vitamins E and C, as well as interactions between them, significantly influenced the activities of glutathione reductase and lipid peroxidase. A combination of vitamin E at 125 IU/kg with vitamin C at 200 mg/kg diet had an additive effect on reducing the activity of oxidative enzyme lipid peroxidase (LP) and increasing the activity of antioxidant enzyme glutathione reductase (GSHR). 5. It is concluded that vitamin E (125 IU/kg) and vitamin C (200 mg/kg) could independently alleviate the effects of heat stress on production performance and immunological variables of layers. However, combination of both the vitamins at the above-mentioned concentrations is beneficial in eliciting higher antioxidant status in laying hens exposed to tropical summer conditions.

The Effects of Vitamin Supplementation on Drosophila Life Span Under Normoxia and Under Oxidative Stress

Vitamin A (retinol), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), and vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) are each thought to play an important role in the aging process. Here, we investigated the effects of these vitamins on Drosophila melanogaster life span under different oxidative stress conditions. Among the vitamins tested, alpha-tocopherol exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity, extending average and maximum life span for wild-type flies under hyperoxia and for Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase-deficient (SOD1-deficient) flies under normoxia. Retinol supplementation extended life span of SOD1-deficient flies under normoxia, and ascorbic acid supplementation extended life span of wild-type flies under normoxia. However, both retinol and ascorbic acid exhibited a strong prooxidant activity under hyperoxia and shortened life span. Furthermore, ascorbic acid supplementation enhanced the toxic effects of iron, with the iron pool significantly increased in adult whole-body extracts. Taken together, our results document antioxidant and prooxidant contributions of vitamins to D. melanogaster life-span determination under normoxia and under oxidative stress.

Effects of Vitamin Supplementation on Immune Response

Effects of Vitamin Supplementation on Immune Response

Effect of vitamin supplementation on breast milk concentrations of retinol, carotenoids and tocopherols in HIV-infected Tanzanian women

The effect of daily prenatal and postnatal vitamin supplementation on concentrations of breast milk nutrients is not well characterized in HIV-infected women. We examined the impact of vitamin supplementation during pregnancy and lactation on breast milk concentrations of retinol, carotenoids and tocopherols during the first year postpartum among 626 HIV-infected Tanzanian women. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Women were assigned to one of four daily oral supplements: vitamin A+beta-carotene (VA+BC); multivitamins (MV; B, C and E); MV+VA+BC or placebo. Concentrations of breast milk nutrients were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography at birth and every 3 months thereafter. Supplementation with VA+BC increased concentrations of retinol, beta-carotene and alpha-carotene at delivery by 4799, 1791 and 84 nmol l(-1), respectively, compared to no VA+BC (all P<0.0001). MV supplementation did not increase concentrations of alpha-tocopherol or delta-tocopherol at delivery but significantly decreased concentrations of breast milk gamma-tocopherol and retinol. Although concentrations of all nutrients decreased significantly by 3 months postpartum, retinol, alpha-carotene and beta-carotene concentrations were significantly higher among those receiving VA+BC at 3, 6 and 12 months compared to no VA+BC. alpha-Tocopherol was significantly higher, while gamma-tocopherol concentrations were significantly lower, among women receiving MV compared to no MV at 3, 6 and 12 months postpartum. Sustained supplementation of HIV-infected breastfeeding mothers with MV could be a safe and effective intervention to improve vitamin E concentrations in breast milk. VA+BC supplementation increases concentrations of breast milk retinol but it is not recommended in HIV-infected mothers due to the elevated risk of vertical transmission.

Sifting through the Research on Supplements

It seems that news about herbs and supplements makes it into the mainstream media every day, both in print and online ( 1 Reynolds G. Give us this day, our daily supplements. New York Times. 2007 Google Scholar , 2 DeNoon D. Antioxidant supplements raise death: Study shows no benefit, slightly higher death risk for antioxidant supplements. WebMD Medical News. Available at: http://www.webmd.com/news/20070227/antioxidant-supplements-up-death-risk. Accessed March 11, 2007. Google Scholar ). Peer-reviewed journals also publish studies that support the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of a variety of different supplements ( 3 Mangione C.M. Treating symptoms of menopause: A study of the effectiveness of black cohosh alone and with other herbal therapies or soy. Ann Intern Med. 2006; 145: 869-879 Google Scholar , 4 Bent S. Padula A. Moore D. Patterson M. Mehling W. Valerian for sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Med. 2006; 199: 1005-1012 Google Scholar ). Such hot topics in recent years include the treatment of cardiovascular disease with the use of certain dietary supplements as well as the treatment of depression with St John’s wort ( 5 Shekelle P. Morton S. Jungvig L. Udani J. Spar M. Tu W. Suttorp M. Coulter I. Newberry S. Hardy M. Effect of supplemental vitamin E for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. J Gen Intern Med. 2004; 19: 380-389 Google Scholar , 6 Woelk H. Comparison of St. John’s wort and imipramine for treating depression: Randomised controlled trial. BMJ. 2000; 321: 536-539 Google Scholar ). It is the position of the American Dietetic Association that “additional nutrients from fortified foods and/or supplements can help some people meet their nutritional needs as specified by science-based nutrition standards such as the Dietary Reference Intakes” ( 7 American Dietetic AssociationPosition of the American Dietetic Association: Fortification and nutritional supplements. J Am Diet Assoc. 2005; 105: 1300-1311 Google Scholar ). But despite the almost overwhelming amount of information about different supplements and the acceptance of their use by authoritative associations such the American Dietetic Association, many food and nutrition professionals may feel unsure about how to speak with confidence on the topic or even find the best information available.

Effect of vitamin supplementation on breast milk concentrations of retinol, carotenoids, and tocopherols first year‐pospartum in HIV‐infected Tanzanian women

Effect of vitamin supplementation on breast milk concentrations of retinol, carotenoids, and tocopherols first year‐pospartum in HIV‐infected Tanzanian women

Effects of supplemental vitamin E in diet of Japanese quail on male reproduction, fertility and hatchability

1. Two experiments were conducted to examine the effect of feeding higher supplemental vitamin E (VE) concentrations on male reproductive variables, fertility and hatchability of quails. 2. In experiment 1, sixty 5-week-old male quails, reared in individual cages, were fed male breeder diets supplemented with 0, 75, 150, 225 or 300 IU α-tocopherol acetate/kg. At 10 weeks, observations on cloacal gland size, foam production, testes weight and blood samples for testosterone estimation were taken. 3. In experiment 2, 50 male and 50 female cage-reared quails (5 weeks old) were fed male breeder and layer rations, respectively, supplemented with 0, 75, 150, 225 or 300 IU/kg. At 13 weeks, 9 different mating pairs (5 pairs/group) were formed. Group 1 contained one control male and one control female in each of 5 pens. In groups 2 to 5, control males were paired with females on supplements of 75, 150, 225 or 300 IU/kg. In groups 6 to 9, control females were paired with males on supplements of 75, 150, 225 and 300 IU/kg. During subsequent adaptation and egg collection periods, each of 10 d, control layer ration was fed to all groups. All the eggs laid during the 10-d egg collection period were incubated artificially to estimate fertility and hatchability. The trial was repeated at 15 weeks. 4. Adult male quails receiving moderate supplemental VE (75 and 150 IU/kg) had a higher cloacal gland index, quantity of foam secretion, testicular weight and plasma testosterone than quails fed on either VE-deficient or more highly supplemented diets (225 and 300 IU α-tocopherol acetate/kg). 5. It was concluded that a supplement of 75 IU VE/kg in maize/soybean diet could provide the best reproductive performance of male breeder quails. Cloacal gland index, quantity of foam secretion, testicular weight and plasma testosterone can serve as indirect indicators of testicular activity and fertilising ability in quails. Supplemental VE did not affect the fertility and hatchability of male and female Japanese quails.

Homocysteinylation of Metallothionein Impairs Intracellular Redox Homeostasis

Heart disease and stroke are major causes of death and morbidity in North America, and they exact high personal, community, and health care costs. Most heart attacks and strokes are caused by thrombosis superimposed on disrupted atherosclerotic lesions, a process known as atherothrombosis.1,2 A number of risk factors are known to accelerate atherothrombosis, including hypercholesterolemia, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. Numerous clinical and epidemiological studies have established hyperhomocysteinemia as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke.3–8 Patients with inborn errors of methionine metabolism caused by deficiencies in cystathionine β-synthase or 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase present with severe hyperhomocysteinemia and have a 50% chance of developing a major vascular event by the age of 30 years if untreated.6 This vascular risk is substantially decreased by homocysteine-lowering therapy (dietary supplementation with folic acid, B-vitamins, and/or betaine), even if the treatment does not completely normalize total plasma homocysteine levels.8 Unlike severe hyperhomocysteinemia, mild hyperhomocysteinemia attributable to deficiencies in dietary folic acid and/or B-vitamins is common in the general population. Despite the association between hyperhomocysteinemia and increased cardiovascular risk, several recent clinical trials have failed to show a preventative benefit of homocysteine-lowering therapy in cardiovascular patients with mild hyperhomocysteinemia.9,10 Although not completely understood, the results of these studies could imply that homocysteine-lowering therapy is ineffective in patients with established cardiovascular disease or that vitamin therapy has other, potentially adverse effects that neutralize its homocysteine-lowering benefit.11 See page 49 A direct causal relationship between hyperhomocysteinemia and atherosclerosis has been reported in diet- and/or genetic-induced mouse models of hyperhomocysteinemia.12–15 Previous studies have also reported that human cells relevant to atherothrombotic disease, including vascular endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells, are particularly sensitive to the cytotoxic effects of homocysteine that may result from the limited capacity of these cells to …

The Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation to Peak-producing Hens Fed Diets Differing in Fat Source and Level on Laying Performance, Metabolic Profile, and Egg Quality

This experiment was designed to examine the effects of supplemental vitamin D on laying performance, metabolic profile and egg quality of hens fed diets containing different fat sources and levels. Lohman strains (n = 480) were assigned to one of 10 diets: basal diet (BD), BD plus 2.5 and 5.0% sunflower oil (SO) or tallow (T) at vitamin D provided 1× and 3x of the current recommendation. The experiment lasted from week 30 to 44 of age. Each diet was tested in 12 replicate cages of 4 hens. Production, metabolism, and egg quality data were subjected to three-way ANOVA. Both fats decreased feed intake (FI) as compared to BD. Increasing SO and T levels linearly decreased and quadratically increased FI, respectively. The dietary factors did not affect egg production (EP) and egg weight. Vitamin D supplementation increased and decreased EP when diets contained SO and T, respectively. Feed conversion efficiency (FCE) for hens fed SO was lower than for hens fed T. However, increasing T level improved FCE, whereas increasing SO level worsened FCR. Vitamin D supplementation increased serum vitamin D and glucose concentrations. Vitamin D supplementation also caused a decrease and an increase in serum vitamin D concentration when diets contained SO and T, respectively. Serum glucose concentration for hens fed SO was lower than hens fed T. Increasing fat level linearly increased serum triglyceride and VLDL concentrations, regardless of the fat type. Increasing SO level linearly decreased serum cholesterol concentration. Vitamin D supplementation did not alter lipid metabolites. The dietary factors did not affect serum total protein, Ca, and P concentrations. As compared with BD, feeding SO decreased dry tibia and ash weights more than feeding T. Vitamin D supplementation tended to increase dry tibia weight and decrease tibia ash weight. Eggshell strength and thickness, yolk and albumen indexes, and Haugh unit were not responsive to the dietary factors. Eggshell strength quadratically increased with increasing T level. Yolk color for hens fed SO was lower than for hens fed T. The dietary factors did not affect most of yolk fatty acids. Increasing SO level quadratically decreased yolk C 18:2 concentration. Vitamin D supplementation increased and decreased yolk C 18:2 concentration when diets contained SO and T, respectively. In conclusion, increasing fat level improved laying performance without altering metabolic profile and egg quality. Vitamin D supplementation had minor alteration effects on laying performance, metabolic profile, and egg quality in response to fat feeding.

Effect of supplemental l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (APP) in enriched live food on the immune response of Penaeus vannamei exposed to ammonia-N

The effects of supplemental vitamin C, in the form l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (APP) in enriched live food dietary ( Artemia) on reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs) and free radical scavenging enzymes (such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione transferase) activities in muscle of Penaeus vannamei exposed to ambient ammonia-N were investigated. The results showed ROIs values of shrimps fed the starved and enriched Artemia increased with increased ammonia-N concentration. The ROIs value of shrimps fed the enriched Artemia exposed to increasing ammonia-N concentration were 37.4%, 26.4% and 31.1% lower ( P < 0.05) compared with those of shrimps fed the starved Artemia exposed to the same ammonia-N concentration. Total SOD, CAT, GPX, GST and GR activities of shrimps fed the enriched Artemia exposed to ammonia-N (2.568–3.852 mmol/l), were all higher ( P < 0.05) than that of shrimps fed the starved Artemia exposed to the same ammonia-N concentration. In addition, total SOD, CAT, GPX, GST and GR activities of shrimps of both dietary treatments decreased ( P < 0.05) with increased ammonia-N concentration. The results demonstrated that supplementation of ascorbic acid in enriched live food ( Artemia) enhanced the anti-oxidant capacity of shrimp, increasing its defense system that may fight against environmental stress leading to reduced ammonia toxicity.

Effect of vitamin supplements on the incidence of malaria among children born to HIV‐infected women

Some evidence suggests protective effects of vitamin A on child malaria but the impact of other vitamins is not known. We examined the effect of maternal vitamin supplementation on child malaria among 829 mother-infant pairs who participated in a randomized, double-blind clinical trial conducted in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. HIV-infected women received one of four daily oral regimens during pregnancy and after delivery: 1) vitamins B, C, and E (MV); 2) vitamin A and β-carotene (VA/BC); 3) MV including VA/BC; or 4) placebo. The incidence of malaria was assessed through blood smears every 3 months and monthly and interim clinic visits from birth to 24 months of age. The outcomes considered were clinical malaria defined as parasitemia >5000/mm3 with concomitant fever (>37.5°C); high parasitemia (>5000/mm3); and any parasitemia. Breastfeeding was adopted universally. MV reduced the incidence of clinical malaria by 71% (P=0.02) and VA/BC by 63% (P=0.05). MV including VA/BC reduced the incidence of high parasitemia by 43% (P=0.04). We conclude that vitamin supplementation to HIV-infected women could reduce the incidence of clinical malaria in their children during the first two years of age. The study was funded by the NICHD.

Homocysteine-Lowering Therapy and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Renal Transplant Recipients

The aim of this study was to document, in hyperhomocysteinemic renal transplant recipients, the effect of vitamin supplementation on carotid intima-media tickness (cIMT). Fifty-six hyperhomocysteinemic stable renal transplant recipients were randomly assigned to either vitamin supplementation (group A) or placebo treatment (group B). All patients underwent high-resolution B mode ultrasound to measure IMT of common carotid arteries before and after 6 months of vitamin supplementation. In group A, cIMT significantly decreased after treatment, whereas no significant changes were observed in group B. In conclusion, our results demonstrate a beneficial effect of the treatment of hyperhomocysteinemia by vitamin supplementation on an early sign of atherosclerosis in a group of renal transplant recipients.

Effects of supplemental vitamin E during the mature period on the reproduction performance of Taiwan Native Chicken cockerels

1. One-day-old Taiwan native male chicks were fed with maize–soybean rearing diets without supplemental vitamin E to 23 weeks of age. From 23 to 52 weeks of age, the cockerels (n = 90) were assigned at random to 5 dietary treatments and fed with maize–soybean diets supplemented with 0, 20, 40, 80 and 160 mg/kg of vitamin E (dl-α-tocopherol acetate). Pullets (225) of the same age were fed with standard diets throughout. 2. They were artificially inseminated with one dose of 0·04 ml/bird intact and 5-fold diluted pooled semen at 31 to 43 weeks of age and at 49 weeks of age, respectively. 3. The criteria evaluated included: semen quality, fertility and maximum and effective duration of fertility, blood characteristics, body and testes weight. 4. Supplemental vitamin E did not affect cockerels’ effective duration of fertility and percentage of fertility. However, when pullets were inseminated with diluted semen, supplementing 160 mg/kg vitamin E increased the maximum duration of fertility at 49 weeks of age. 5. Cockerels receiving 40 to 160 mg/kg supplements had higher sperm viability and motility after 39 weeks of age and those fed 80 mg/kg had higher sperm concentration at 39 weeks of age. 6. Cockerels receiving supplements of more than 40 mg/kg vitamin E had higher body weight gain. 7. Plasma cholesterol and testosterone were not affected by supplemental vitamin E. However, plasma luteinising hormone (LH) concentration was lower in cockerels fed 160 mg/kg. 8. Lack of supplemental vitamin E over 39 weeks was associated with lower semen quality but did not reduce the proportion of fertile eggs laid by inseminated hens, perhaps because the insemination dose compensated for low sperm quality. We found that the maximum duration of fertility might be improved by supplementing 160 mg/kg vitamin E at 49 weeks of age.

Effects of supplemental vitamin E during the laying period on the reproductive performance of Taiwan native chickens

1. One-day-old Taiwan Native Breeder female chicks were fed on maize/soybean growing diets without supplemental vitamin E from hatch to 17 weeks of age. After 17 weeks the birds (n = 300) were randomly assigned to 5 dietary treatments and fed on maize/soybean laying diets supplemented with 0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 mg/kg of vitamin E (dl-α-tocopherol acetate), respectively, until 46 weeks of age. The variates measured included: age at first egg, feed consumption (FC), feed efficiency (FE), egg production (EP), egg weight (EW), egg specific gravity (ESG), eggshell strength (ESS), fertility and hatchability. 2. The addition of 120 mg/kg of vitamin E lowered the first EW (P < 0·05); however, there was no significant difference in the age or body weight (BW) of pullets at first egg or mortality rate to 46 weeks of age among the treatments. FE and egg mass were improved (P < 0·05) in pullets fed 80 mg/kg of supplemental vitamin E. A significant increase in EP was observed after peak EP in pullets given 80 mg/kg of supplemental vitamin E. However, this favourable effect decreased as supplemental vitamin E exceeded 80 mg/kg. 3. From 17 to 46 weeks of age, egg quality (ESG and ESS) decreased with age. However, there was no correlation between age and fertility or hatchability during the experimental period, suggesting that egg quality is more age-sensitive than reproductive performance for breeder pullets. 4. Compared with the control, fertility and hatchability of all eggs set for the treatment with 80 mg/kg supplemental vitamin E increased by 7·7 and 13·4%, respectively. There was no difference in the hatchability of fertile eggs. 5. These results suggest that using supplemental vitamin E during the laying period can improve the reproductive performance of breeder pullets. The addition of 80 mg/kg of vitamin E obtained the best performance in EP, egg mass, FE (feed/egg), hatchability and fertility.

Effect of supplemental vitamin E for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

To evaluate and synthesize the evidence on the effect of supplements of vitamin E on the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Systematic review of placebo-controlled randomized controlled trials; meta-analysis where justified. Eighty-four eligible trials were identified. For the outcomes of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, fatal or nonfatal myocardial infarction, and blood lipids, neither supplements of vitamin E alone nor vitamin E given with other agents yielded a statistically significant beneficial or adverse pooled relative risk (for example, pooled relative risk of vitamin E alone = 0.96 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.84 to 1.10]; 0.97 [95% CI, 0.80 to 1.90]; and 0.72 [95% CI, 0.51 to 1.02] for all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and nonfatal myocardial infarction, respectively. There is good evidence that vitamin E supplementation does not beneficially or adversely affect cardiovascular outcomes.

Effect of vitamin supplements on some aspects of performance, vitamin status, and semen quality in boars12

Effect of vitamin supplements on some aspects of performance, vitamin status, and semen quality in boars12

Effect of vitamin supplements on some aspects of performance, vitamin status, and semen quality in boars.

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of dietary supplements of vitamins on vitamin status, libido, and semen characteristics in young boars under normal and intensive semen collection. Sixty Landrace, Yorkshire, and Duroc boars were allocated randomly from 6 to 10 mo of age to one of the following diets: 1) basal diet (industry level) for minerals and vitamins (Control, n = 15); 2) basal diet supplemented with vitamin C (ASC, n = 15); 3) basal diet supplemented with fat-soluble vitamins (FSV, n = 15); and 4) basal diet supplemented with water-soluble vitamins (WSV, n = 15). After puberty (approximately 12 mo of age), semen was collected at a regular frequency (three times every 2 wk) for 5 wk. Thereafter, all boars were intensively collected (daily during 2 wk). A recovery period (semen collection three times every 2 wk) followed and lasted for 10 wk. Sperm quality (percentage of motile cells and percentage of morphologically normal cells) and quantity (sperm concentration, semen volume, and total sperm number) were recorded as well as direct and hormone related measurements of boar libido. Blood and seminal plasma samples were taken to monitor vitamin status. High concentrations of B6 (P < 0.05) and folic acid (P < 0.05) were observed in the blood plasma of WSV boars, whereas greater concentrations of vitamin E (P < 0.01) were obtained in FSV boars. In the seminal plasma, folic acid concentrations tended to be greater in WSV boars (P < 0.08). During the intensive collection period, there was a tendency (P < 0.06) for semen production to be greater in WSV boars, the effect being less pronounced (P < 0.10) in FSV boars. During the recovery period, the percentage of motile sperm cells was greater in WSV boars (P < 0.03) and, to a lesser extent, in FSV boars (P < 0.10) compared with Control boars. Sperm morphology and libido were not affected by treatments. These results indicate that the transfer of vitamins from blood to seminal plasma is limited and the dietary supplements of water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins may increase semen production during intensive semen collection.