Carotene Utilization in the Newborn Calf

Mature bovine obtain their vitamin A requirements from the metabolic conversion of carotene because usual rations do not contain preformed vitamin A. On the other hand, the newborn caff normally receives considerable amounts of vitamin A and carotene from colostrum. Sutton (12) reports that calves receive about 53 milligrams of carotene when fed colostrum during the first seven days. If it is utilized, this carotene is an important source of vitamin A. However, little is known regarding the ability of the newborn calf to utilize carotene. Suggestions that the newborn calf is unable to utilize carotene (9), or that the young calf converts carotene more efficiently or more rapidly than older animals (7) have been made, although few data have been presented. Therefore, it is important to know if the newborn calf utilizes carotene and the age at which conversion is sufficient to provide the full requirement of vitamin A.