The Rôole of Vitamin A in the Nutrition of Calves

Abstract

Vitamin A has been found to be an indispensable factor in the diet of a number of species of animals. The most characteristic symptoms of a deficiency resulting from its absence, determined especially in case of small laboratory animals, are failure to grow, xerophthalmia, respiratory trouble, intestinal disturbances, death and, with mature animals, failure of normal reproduction and rearing of young. The question seems pertinent as to how far the results obtained with laboratory animals are applicable to domestic, ruminating animals, concerning which no systematic study has been found in the literature. I t will be the purpose of this paper to set forth the results of an i~vestigation to determine if ruminants, as represented by calves, require a supply of vitamin A for normal growth and well-being. Although the problem was attacked largely from the scientific aspect, the economic consideration was kept in mind. With approximately 4,500,000 calves of the dairy breeds alone raised yearly any investigation dealing with their normal nutrition may be of tremendous practical significance.