Evaluation of supplemental vitamin E on 56-day feedlot growth performance and plasma tocopherol concentrations in calf-fed Holstein steers. Issue 1 (1st January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cano, A. B.; Montano, M.; Salinas-Chavira, J.; Zinn, R. A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of applied animal research. Volume 45:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 90
• Page End: 92
• Publication Date: 2017-01-01
• Subjects: Tocopherol -- Holstein -- feedlot -- performance; Animal culture -- India -- Periodicals; Animal culture -- Tropics -- Periodicals; 636.005
• DOI: 10.1080/09712119.2015.1129340
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0971-2119

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Fifty-four Holstein steer calves, divided in two weight groupings (141.2 ± 4.9 kg and 454.2 ± 7.0 kg respectively), were used in a 56-day study to evaluate the influence of supplemental vitamin E on growth performance and plasma vitamin concentrations. Steers were assigned within body weight groupings to 18 pens, 3 steers/pen. Dietary treatments consisted of a steam-flaked corn-based growing-finishing diet supplemented to provide 0, 250, or 500 IU/d of vitamin E as all racemic α -tocopherol. No morbidity was apparent during the course of the study. Calves in the heavier weight grouping had greater average daily gain (24.4%, P < .01), dry matter intake (54.3%, P < .01), and lower gain efficiency (40.7%, P < .01). Vitamin E supplementation did not affect ( P > .10) feedlot growth performance. Initial and 56-day plasma tocopherol were not influenced ( P > .10) by weight grouping. Final 56-day plasma tocopherol increased linearly ( P < .01) with level of vitamin E supplementation. Plasma tocopherol of non-supplemented steers decreased ( P = .01) from an average initial concentration of 1.66–1.16 ug/mL at day 56. It is concluded that vitamin E supplementation of calf-fed Holstein steers receiving a conventional steam-flaked corn-based growing-finishing diet is not expected to enhance growth performance.