Bioavailability of Vitamin E Compounds and the Effect of Supplementation on Release of Superoxide and Hydrogen Peroxide by Bovine Neutrophils

¹ Centre for Food and Animal Research, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1A 0C6
² Department of Animal Science, McGill University, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, QC, Canada H9X 3V9

The effects of daily supplementation of 1000 IU of d-- or dl--tocopherol acetate to Holstein cows from drying off to 8 wk after calving were studied 1) to compare the bioavailability of d-- and dl--tocopherol acetate by monitoring vitamin E concentrations in plasma, red blood cells, and neutrophils and 2) to determine the effect of d-- and dl--tocopherol acetate supplementation on O₂^– and H₂O₂ release by neutrophils. Supplementation with d-- or dl--tocopherol acetate increased vitamin E concentrations in blood plasma, red blood cells, and neutrophils; the d- form was more effective than was the dl- form. Supplementation with d-- or dl--tocopherol acetate had no effect on the release of O₂^– and H₂O₂ by neutrophils, suggesting no harmful effects on surrounding tissues from oxygen-free radicals produced by neutrophils.

Key Words: bioavailability • vitamin E • neutrophils • dairy cows

Submitted on October 23, 1995
Accepted on April 26, 1996

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