VITAMIN-E SUPPLEMENTATION FOR THE RUMINANT

Vitamin E is essential for such body functions as growth, reproduction , prevention of various diseases, and for integrity of tissues. The mo st significantly important result of selenium and vitamin E deficiency is tissue degeneration (e,g, white muscle disease), Vitamin E does no t cross the placenta in any appreciable amounts; however, it is concen trated in colostrum. Supplemental vitamin E can greatly increase colos tral tocopherol. The importance of providing colostrum rich in vitamin E is essential as both calves and lambs are born with low levels of t he vitamin, Vitamin E has been shown to increase performance of feedlo t cattle and to increase immune response for ruminant health, includin g being beneficial for mastitis control. Vitamin E given to finishing cattle at higher than National Research Council (NRC) requirements dra matically maintained the red color (oxymyoglobin) compared with the ox idized metmyoglobin of beef, It appears that supplementation of 500 IU vitamin E per head daily for 84-126 days yields tissue alpha-tocopher ol that would maintain a favorable level of oxymyoglobin in meat, thus increasing its value. Vitamin E nutritional status is commonly estima ted from plasma concentration, with a high correlation between plasma and liver levels of alpha-tocopherol. The NRC estimates for vitamin E requirements of beef cattle, dairy cattle and sheep to range from 15 t o 40 mg kg(-1); however, higher levels will likely improve performance , and megadose levels will improve carcass quality.