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Effect of Some Antioxidants on the Utilization of Carotene by Holstein Calves¹

Animal Industries and Animal Diseases Departments, Storrs (Conn.) Agricultural Experiment Station

Goeffrey Beall

Statistics Department, University of Connecticut, Storrs

L. A. Moore

Dairy Husbandry Research Branch, USDA, Beltsville, Md.

ABSTRACT

The effect of three antioxidants, N,N'-diphenyl-para-phenylenediamine (DPPD), 6-ethoxy-2,2-4-trimethyl-1,2-dihydroquinoline (Santoquin), and 2,5-ditertiarybutylhydroquinone (DTBH), on the utilization of carotene from alfalfa was studied with 32 male Holstein calves. These calves were raised to 63 days of age on a standard limited whole milk, limited starter, and free-choice alfalfa hay regime. On the 64th day of age each calf was fed an intake of a vitamin A depletion ration to provide an anticipated rate of gain in live weight of 10 lb. per 7-day period. When the blood plasma vitamin A level for each calf had decreased to or less than 10.0 /100 ml., each calf was then fed either 60 or 540 carotene from artificially dehydrated alfalfa per pound live weight per day without or with the addition of one of the three antioxidants at 0.01% of the ration for 12 consecutive 7-day intervals. Upon completion of this period, the comparison period, the carotene was removed from the rations of all calves and the antioxidants from the rations of half the calves previously receiving them. This regime, the final depletion period, was maintained until each calf's blood plasma vitamin A concentration decreased to less than 4.0 per 100 ml. for two consecutive 7-day intervals, at which time the calf was slaughtered. The following results were found:

1. Calves fed antioxidants during the comparison period, when carotene from alfalfa was included in the ration, had higher concentrations of carotenoids in the plasma than did the control calves.
   
2. Calves fed antioxidants during only the comparison period and calves fed antioxidants during both the comparison and final depletion periods had longer vitamin A depletion times than the control calves. This finding indicated greater vitamin A storage at the end of the carotene feeding period and thus greater utilization of carotene.
   
3. Based on the inappreciable differences of the responses between calves fed antioxidants during only the comparison period and those fed antioxidants during both the comparison and final depletion periods, it was suggested that the main site of activity of the antioxidants with respect to their effect on utilization of carotene was the gut.
   
4. Upon the completion of the final depletion period, liver lipids and liver total tocopherol concentrations were slightly greater in the calves fed antioxidants.
   
5. At the end of the final depletion period calves fed DPPD had significantly lower spinal fluid pressures than the controls or those fed Santoquin or DTBH.
   

¹ This study was made in part with funds provided by the Research and Marketing Act of 1946, through a contract between the Storrs (Conn.) Agricultural Experiment Station and the Dairy Husbandry Research Branch as well as funds provided by the Chas. H. Hood Dairy Foundation and the Chas. M. Cox Co., Boston, Mass., the Big-Y-Foundation, Norwich, Conn., and the American Dehydrators Assoc. Kansas City, Mo.

² Present address: Chas. M. Cox Co., Boston, Mass.