| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|||||||||
1 Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman 99164-6320
2 Animal Nutrition, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Basel, Switzerland
Beginning 4 wk prior to predicted calving, 14 Holstein cows per treatment were fed diets 1) unsupplemented (control) or supplemented daily with 2) 300 mg of ß-carotene, 3) 600 mg of ß-carotene, or 4) 120,000 IU of vitamin A. Blood was collected around calving on wk –4, –2, –1, 0 (within 24 h postcalving), 1, 2, and 4 for isolation of lymphocytes and neutrophils and for the analysis of plasma vitamins. Lacteal secretions were collected on wk 0, 1, 2, and 4 for the isolation of phagocytes. Cows supplemented with 600 mg of ß-carotene had higher concentrations of plasma ß-carotene and retinol than did unsupplemented cows. Supplemental vitamin A increased plasma retinol on wk 4 and decreased plasma ß-carotene on wk –1 and 0. Treatment did not affect concentrations of plasma 
-tocopherol. Blood lymphocyte proliferation in response to concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin, and pokeweed mitogen during the peripartum period was higher in cows supplemented with ß-carotene than in unsupplemented controls. Phagocytic activity of blood neutrophils was enhanced on wk 1 in cows fed 300 mg of ß-carotene. Intracellular killing by blood neutrophils was enhanced in cows supplemented with ß-carotene (wk 0) and vitamin A (wk 0 and 1). Iodine uptake and nitroblue tetrazolium reduction by blood neutrophils was stimulated in cows supplemented with ß-carotene. Phagocytic activity, iodine uptake, and nitroblue tetrazolium reduction by mammary phagocytes from all cows generally were lower postpartum than on the day of calving. The incidence of retained placenta and metritis was higher for unsupplemented cows than for cows supplemented with ß-carotene. Therefore, dietary ß-carotene can elevate peripartum concentrations of blood ß-carotene, enhance host defense mechanisms by potentiating lymphocyte and phagocyte function, and decrease the incidence of certain reproductive disorders.
Key Words: ßbeta;-carotene • lymphocytes • phagocytes • health
Submitted on July 9, 1993
Accepted on December 15, 1993
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  P. Rezamand, T. A. Hoagland, K. M. Moyes, L. K. Silbart, and S. M. Andrew Energy Status, Lipid-Soluble Vitamins, and Acute Phase Proteins in Periparturient Holstein and Jersey Dairy Cows With or Without Subclinical Mastitis J Dairy Sci, November 1, 2007; 90(11): 5097 - 5107. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
F. Calderon, B. Chauveau-Duriot, B. Martin, B. Graulet, M. Doreau, and P. Noziere Variations in Carotenoids, Vitamins A and E, and Color in Cow's Plasma and Milk During Late Pregnancy and the First Three Months of Lactation J Dairy Sci, May 1, 2007; 90(5): 2335 - 2346. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. J. LeBlanc, T. H. Herdt, W. M. Seymour, T. F. Duffield, and K. E. Leslie Peripartum Serum Vitamin E, Retinol, and Beta-Carotene in Dairy Cattle and Their Associations with Disease J Dairy Sci, March 1, 2004; 87(3): 609 - 619. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 B. P. Chew and J. S. Park Carotenoid Action on the Immune Response J. Nutr., January 1, 2004; 134(1): 257S - 261. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
B. P. Chew, J. S. Park, T. S. Wong, H. W. Kim, B. B. C. Weng, K. M. Byrne, M. G. Hayek, and G. A. Reinhart Dietary {beta}-Carotene Stimulates Cell-Mediated and Humoral Immune Response in Dogs J. Nutr., August 1, 2000; 130(8): 1910 - 1913. [Abstract] [Full Text]
|
|
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
