The metabolism and physiological role of beta-carotene in cows

Beside its well-documented role as a provitamin for vitamin-A, many other f unctions of beta-carotene have been discovered in the last two decades. One of these is its antioxidant character: it can react with the different typ es of free radicals produced in animal tissues and can protect biological m embranes against oxidation thus inhibiting the formation and development of different tumours. beta-carotene also plays an important role in the produ ction of lymphocytes and has an immunomodulatory activity in humans and ani mals, in cattle, it also has a specific positive effect on ovarian function and conception This article gives an overview of the metabolism and variou s effects of beta-carotene on different physiological processes in cattle.