The Effect of Vitamin A from Prenatal Storage and from Ingestion of Colostrum on the Neonatal Calf

The effect of vitamin A from prenatal storage and from ingestion of colostrum was studied from birth to 28 days of age in 28 dairy calves. One half of these calves were from dams receiving only a basal ration and one half were from dams receiving the same basal ration plus one million U.S.P. units of vitamin A daily for 30 days prior to the calculated date of parturition. At birth the calves from each of the maternal dietary groupings were subdivided into two groups, one receiving colostrum from dams fed only the basal ration and the other receiving colostrum from dams fed the basal ration plus the supplementary vitamin A.