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The Influence of Vitamin E Supplementation
During Late Pregnancy On Lamb Mortality and Ewe Productivity
R.W. Kott1,
V.M. Thomas1, P.G. Hatfield1,
T. Evans2 and K.C. Davis1
1Montana State University, Bozemanand
and 2Roche Vitamins & Fine Chemicals,
Nutley, NJ.
"Feeding
of vitamin E in late pregnancy reduced lamb mortality
during first half of the lambing season. " |
ABSTRACT
Mature Rambouillet and Targhee ewes over
a three year period (approximately 430 ewes per year)
were randomly allocated within breed and age to either
a vitamin E supplemented group or a control group receiving
no supplemental vitamin E. Beginning approximately three
weeks prior to the first expected lambing date all ewes
were fed 2.3 kg/d of alfalfa-grass hay and .23 kg/d
of a barley based supplemental pellet. The pellet with
added vitamin E contained 1450 mg of d-l-alpha tocopherol
acetate/kg and provided an additional 330 IU/hd/d of
vitamin E. Selenium was incorporated into a trace mineral
salt and fed free choice to all ewes throughout pregnancy.
Supplemental vitamin E had no affect (P>.05) on ewe
weight or body condition score at turnout to summer
range (approximately 30 d post lambing) or at weaning
(approximately 4 months post lambing). Ewe fertility
and prolificy did not differ (P>.05) between groups.
In ewes lambing in the early part of the lambing season,
vitamin E supplementation reduced (P<.05) lamb mortality
(17 vs 12 percent lamb mortality for untreated vs vitamin
E supplemented ewes, respectively). Consequently, these
ewes weaned 2.9 kg more lamb per ewe lambing (P<.05).
No differences were observed (P>.05) in lamb mortality
or kg of lamb weaned per ewe lambing among ewes lambing
during the late lambing period.
IMPLICATIONS
Feeding of vitamin E in late pregnancy
reduced lamb mortality during first half of the lambing
season. As a result of this reduced lamb mortality,
ewes lambing in the first part of the lambing season
weaned 2.9 kg more lamb when supplemented with vitamin
E. The cost of the supplemental vitamin E for the test
period is about $0.60 (330 IU/hd/d or $0.0132/hd/d for
a feeding period of 45 days).
Supplemental vitamin E levels utilized
in this study (330 IU/hd/d) were about 10 times NRC
recommended levels. In a recent review, Roche (1994)
indicated that daily vitamin E intakes of 2 IU/Kg body
weight (about ½ of those used in this study) improved
immunocompetency and general health in dairy cattle.
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