L-Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) supplementation to optimize health and reproduction in cattle

Abstract

Cattle can synthesize L-ascorbic acid (or Vitamin C) from either D-glucose or D-galactose through glucuronic acid pathway in the liver. L-Ascorbic acid present in cattle diet is almost totally destroyed by rumen microorganisms making them essentially dependent on its endogenous synthesis, which is assumed sufficient to meet the physiological requirement. Therefore, the role of vitamin C in cattle health and disease has remained widely overlooked. However, there is mounting evidence that the level of L-ascorbic acid in blood and other tissues decreases in association with stress and disease, and Vitamin C supplementation revealed favorable response as evident from early recovery. The present review is an attempt to summarize the existing literature pertaining to the physiological role of L-ascorbic acid and the scope of its supplementation in the prevention and treatment of diseases in cattle. It should be realized that the aqueous solution of vitamin C is highly acidic and subcutaneous or intramuscular administration may cause tissue irritation and inflammation, whereas the sodium ascorbate solution is less acidic and might be used for intramuscular administration.

Impacts of vitamin C and E injections on ovarian structures and fertility in Holstein cows under heat stress conditions

“…Vitamin C and E are necessary for normal reproduction in cattle (5,6) and required for follicle and corpus luteum (CL) development (7,8). Low fertility in dairy cattle may be a consequence of smaller preovulatory follicle and CL size compared to animals without heat stress (9)(10)(11).…”

Fluoride Toxicity in Animals

“…This may be a plausible explanation in man and simple-stomach animals that are totally dependent on the dietary intake of vitamin C. However, its role in ruminants requires further investigation as they can endogenously synthesize vitamin C in a quantity sufficient to meet their physiological requirement. Moreover, vitamin C present in the diet is almost totally destroyed by rumen microorganisms (Ranjan et al 2013). reported beneficial effects of antioxidant minerals including selenium, copper, and magnesium in bovine endemic fluorosis.…”

“…Choubisa and his coworkers opined that high levels of calcium and vitamin C present naturally in plants, grasses, and forage consumed by sheep, goats, and camels are responsible for the lower prevalence of dental and bony lesions in these animal species in comparison to cattle and water buffaloes reared in the same hydrofluorotic areas of Rajasthan, India (Choubisa 2010(Choubisa , 2013). However, this hypothesis does not appear plausible as after oral intake, vitamin C is almost completely destroyed by rumen microorganisms and is not utilized in ruminants (Ranjan et al 2012). Hence, vitamin C may have some role in fluorosis prevention in simple-stomach animals and humans, but further study is required to elucidate its role in ruminants.…”

Efecto de la suplementación con ensilaje de cáscara de naranja (Citrus sinensis L) sobre algunos parámetros metabólicos en vacas de leche

“…En general, la síntesis de vitamina C en el rumiante es suficiente para el mantenimiento de sus funciones sin necesitar de suplementación adicional; sin embargo, algunos autores indican que los bovinos en condiciones de enfermedad o de stress podrían requerir un suministro adicional de la vitamina (Ranjan et al, 2012), mientras que otros indican que la síntesis endógena es suficiente, incluso en bovinos en alta producción, así como en situaciones como la cetosis (Santos et al, 2001;Padilla et al, 2006;Ranjan et al, 2012). Por lo anterior, y frente a la necesidad de buscar alternativas alimenticias en los bovinos, el presente estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar el efecto de la suplementación con ensilaje de cáscara de naranja/avena en algunos parámetros metabólicos de vacas y de la calidad de la leche producida en época de verano.…”