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Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 34 No. 8 735-742
© 1951 by American Dairy Science Association ®
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The Effect of Vitamin D on the Utilization of Energy and Protein of the Ration of Calves1

N. F. Colovos, H. A. Keener, A. E. Teeri and H. A. Davis

New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station, Durham

ABSTRACT

Fourteen Holstein bull calves were used in a study to determine the effect of vitamin D on the digestion and utilization of the protein and the energy of the ration; the metabolic coefficients for ether extract, nitrogen-free extract, fiber and ash also were determined. Periodic basal metabolism measurements were made on the same eight calves.

Both the digestion of the feed protein and retention of the absorbed nitrogen were lowered by vitamin D deficiency. The digestibility of ash likewise was affected adversely by a lack of vitamin D, but the digestion of dry matter, ether-extract, fiber, nitrogen-free extract and energy were not affected significantly. The efficiency of energy and protein utilization was significantly decreased. The basal metabolic rate was increased in the calves as a result of vitamin D deficiency. Blood Ca and inorganic P were lowered by the deficiency, while the alkaline phosphatase activity was increased. The deficiency slowed gains in body weight and produced the usual symptoms of rickets, such as arched back, large knees and soreness of joints.

It was found that vitamin D is needed by calves not only to promote normal bone growth, but also to permit efficient digestion and utilization of certain feed nutrients and a normal metabolic rate.

FOOTNOTES

1 Scientific contribution no. 139 of the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station.






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Copyright © 1951 by the American Dairy Science Association ®.