Age of animal is required to properly assess vitamin status.
Vitamin status of aborted/stillborn calves is not diagnostically useful. Vitamin A and E are poorly transported across the placenta, so the calf is completely reliant on good quality colostrum as its source of vitamins. The amount of vitamin A and E that dam have stored in her liver in late gestation will influence the amount of vitamin A and E that will be in the colostrum. Vitamin A is only stored in the liver for 2-4 months when sources are adequate. Vitamin E is only stored for a few weeks when sources are adequate. Therefore, ensuring supplementation and high-quality feed for cows throughout gestation is important to prevent deficiencies in calves. If vitamin status is a concern in the herd, please submit serum from the dam(s).
Vitamins are light sensitive; samples must be protected from light to prevent falsely low numbers.
