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Effects of Feeding Vitamin A and Lactoferrin on Epithelium of Lymphoid Tissues of Intestine of Neonatal Calves^*

Division of Nutrition and Physiology, Institute of Animal Genetics, Nutrition and Housing, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne, CH-3012 Berne, Switzerland

Corresponding author: J. W. Blum; e-mail: juerg.blum{at}itz.unibe.ch.

Circulating levels of vitamin A (retinol) and lactoferrin (Lf) are low in calves at birth. Bovine colostrum contains relatively high amounts of vitamin A and Lf, and both substances are intestinally absorbed by neonatal calves. There is evidence that these compounds interact with insulin-like growth factor binding proteins and thus influence the status and effects of insulin-like growth factor. The hypothesis was therefore tested that vitamin A and Lf influence epithelial growth, development, and absorptive capacity of the small and large intestine and modulate intestinal immune tissues (Peyer’s patches; PP). Four groups of calves (n = 7 per group) were fed a milk-based formula with or without vitamin A and (or) Lf. Group F received formula (F) only; group F_A was fed F supplemented with vitamin A; group F_L was fed F supplemented with Lf, and group F_AL received F plus vitamin A plus Lf. An additional group of calves (group C; n = 7) served as positive control and was fed colostrum (C) from pooled milk obtained on d 1, 2, and 3 of lactation. Amounts of nutritive components in formula and colostrum were similar. Blood samples were taken to measure vitamin A and Lf, and plasma xylose (added on d 4 to feeds) was measured postprandially for 8 h as a marker of intestinal absorptive capacity. Plasma vitamin A was low at birth and further decreased in groups F and F_L, but increased in groups F_A, F_AL, and C. Plasma Lf was low at birth and transiently increased up to 4 h after the first meal in group C. Xylose absorption was higher in group C than in other groups. Incorporation of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine into DNA (as a measure of cell proliferation rate) was enhanced in intestinal crypts in groups F and F_L at all intestinal sites. Ileum villus heights of groups F and F_L were smaller than of groups F_A and F_AL. Villus height to crypt depth ratios were smaller in F-fed groups (especially in groups F and F_L) than in C-fed calves in the duodenum and jejunum. Incorporation of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine into colon crypt cells of group F was greater than in groups F_L and F_A. Sizes of follicles of PP in the ileum were greater in group F_A than in group F. In the ileum, vitamin A and Lf tended to interact with PP size. In conclusion, feed supplementation of vitamin A and Lf influenced growth of the ileum and colon. Interactions were observed between vitamin A and Lf on epithelial cell maturation, villus growth, and size of follicles in PP of neonatal calves.

Key Words: intestine • lactoferrin • vitamin A • neonatal calf

Abbreviation key: BrdU = 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine, C = colostrum, F = formula, F_A = formula + vitamin A, F_AL = formula + vitamin A + lactoferrin, F_L = formula + lactoferrin, GIT = gastrointestinal tract, Lf = lactoferrin, PP = Peyer’s patches, TUNEL = terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT3')-mediated X-dUTP nick end labeling.

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