Utilizzo di vitamina E nella vacca nutrice

A field study was carried out to evaluate the effects of vitamin E administration in beef heifers on the blood vitamin E concentration both of heifers and calves, on colostrums and milk characteristics and on calves performance. 32 limousine beef heifers and relative calves were evaluated in the first 28 days after delivery. Treatment was based on alpha-tocopherol administered to heifers both per os (2000 IU head/day 14 days before delivery and 28 after) or parenteral (3000 IU head in a unique administration on delivery). Heifers were assigned to 4 groups consisting of 8 animals each, differing for vitamin E way of administration, and specifically only per os (2000 IU head/day 14 days before delivery and 28 after), only parenteral (3000 IU head in a unique administration on delivery) or per os combined with parenteral and a control group without administration. Heifers treated with parenteral vitamin E showed significative higher (P<0.05) blood concentration of vitamin E during first days after delivery reaching concentration similar to other groups at day 7. Heifers treated showed higher vitamin E concentration (P<0.05) and a reduction in somatic cells concentration in milk. Calves born from heifer treated both per os and trough parenteral administration showed higher vitamin E concentration and better growth performance (P<0.05)