Evaluation of supplemental vitamin E on 56-day feedlot growth performance and plasma tocopherol concentrations in calf-fed Holstein steers

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 αtocopherol. 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.

The effect of finishing diet supplemented with methionine/lysine and methionine/α-tocopherol on performance, carcass traits and meat quality of Hanwoo steers

“…This is in agreement with explained by Park et al and Prado et al [13,14], where a positive growth response from ruminally protected met/lys supplementation only occurred during the growth period, and no positive response was found in the finishing period. While there was also no effect on performance could be observed from the cattle treated with diet supplemented with α-tocopherol [15].…”

Multifunctional activity of vitamin E in animal and animal products: A review

“…In contrast, Cano, Montano, Salinas‐Chavira, and Zinn () reported no significant difference in feedlot Holstein steer calves fed diet containing 0, 250, or 500 IU/d of vitamin E during 56 days feeding trial, whereas Mir et al () found that steers fed diet containing 500 IU/d of vitamin E had lowered live weight and average daily weight gained compared with the control group. Similarly, Plascencia, Montano‐Gomez, Salinas‐Chavira, Torrentera‐Olivera, and Zinn () in their study found that Holstein steers fed diet containing vitamin E level at 0, 250, and 500 IU had no significant difference in the average daily weight gain, dry matter intake, gain efficiency, and carcass characteristics after 312‐day feeding trials.…”

“…The discrepancies in growth performance response of livestock supplemented with vitamin E from different studies may be attributed to the effect of age and breeds, other dietary ingredients, animal stress, or supplementation period of the different trials (Cano et al, 2015;Decker et al, 2000).…”

“…Similarly, Plascencia, Montano‐Gomez, Salinas‐Chavira, Torrentera‐Olivera, and Zinn () in their study found that Holstein steers fed diet containing vitamin E level at 0, 250, and 500 IU had no significant difference in the average daily weight gain, dry matter intake, gain efficiency, and carcass characteristics after 312‐day feeding trials. The discrepancies in growth performance response of livestock supplemented with vitamin E from different studies may be attributed to the effect of age and breeds, other dietary ingredients, animal stress, or supplementation period of the different trials (Cano et al, ; Decker et al, ).…”

Effect of Multivitamin and Amino Acid Supplementation on Average Daily Gain and Health Status in Cross-Bred Holstein Calves with Poor Growth Rates

“…While, vitamin E supplementation alone in calf-fed Holstein steers was not expected to enhance their feed lot growth performance due to health status may be a factor in short-term responses to vitamin E supplementation (Cano et al, 2017). However, our trial study lasted up to 90 days and this period may enough for showed response effectiveness.…”