| Abstract: | ![]()
The effects of pre-partum intravenous injections of vitamin A alcohol and vitamin palmitate on vitamin A levels in the plasma and livers of newborn lambs and in colostrum were studied with twenty mature Romney ewes. Injecting ewes with 250000 IU of vitamin A alcohol significantly (P less than .05) increased vitamin A levels in the blood (77%) and livers (75%) of newborn lambs. Differences between effect of vitamin A alcohol and vitamin A palmitate on either blood or liver levels in lambs were not significant. Transfer of injected vitamin A to lamb liver was inefficient (0.37% for palmitate, 0.12% for alcohol). There was 52% more vitamin A in colostrum from alcohol-injected than from palmitate-injected ewes. Although consistent with a postulation of preferential mammary transfer of vitamin A alcohol, this difference was not statistically significant (P greater than .05). |
