Effects of supplemental vitamins E and C on the immune responses of calves

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of oral supplementation of vitamin C and vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), alone and in combination, on immune responses of calves. In Experiment 1, 18 Holstein newborn female calves were supplemented with 0, 1, and 2 g/d of vitamin C from birth to 6 wk of age. Concentrations of ascorbic acid in blood plasma were significantly higher for supplemented calves than for control calves. No significant differences among treatments occurred in the concentrations of IgG1, IgG2, and titer to keyhole limpet hemocyanin. In Experiment 2, effects of oral supplementation of vitamins E and C on immune responses were studied using 18 Holstein female calves. Concentrations of alpha-tocopherol in blood plasma were significantly higher for supplemented than for control calves. The concentrations increased from birth to wk 1, and then very little change occurred from wk 1 to 6. Differences among treatments in the concentrations of IgG1, IgG2, IgM, and titer to keyhole limpet hemocyanin were not significant; however, concentrations of IgM in calves supplemented with vitamins E and C generally tended to be higher than those of control calves. Antibodies to keyhole limpet hemocyanin were higher at 6 wk than at 4 wk of age.