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Effect of an intramuscular injection of folic acid on concentrations of serum folates in gestating cow

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 November 2017

C.J. Girard
Affiliation:
Station de recherches Agriculture Canada, Lennoxville, Québec, CanadaJIM 1Z3
G.F. Tremblay
Affiliation:
Ferme expérimentale Agriculture Canada, Normandin, Québec, CanadaGOW 2E0
J.J. Matte
Affiliation:
Station de recherches Agriculture Canada, Lennoxville, Québec, CanadaJIM 1Z3
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Extract

The ruminant is generally considered independent of an exogenous supply of folates; its synthesis by rumen microorganisms makes their inclusion in the diet unnecessary. According to Kon and Porter (1954), folates content of rumen is not affected by the quantity of folates in the diet. However, Dong and Oace (1975) reported that differences in feeding practices seem to be responsible for the variation of concentrations of folates in milk.

In previous studies, we observed that concentration of serum folates of calves aged 2 weeks was half the concentration in 4-month old heifers (Girard et al., 1989). Moreover, a supplement of folic acid administered by intramuscular injections from the age of 2 weeks to 18 weeks improved growth performances (Dumoulin et al., 1988). An increase of placental transfer of folates and/or of concentration of milk folates could have a beneficial effect on calf performances.

Type
Cattle Production and Nutrition
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Production 1989

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