2019 Volume 72 Issue 6 Pages 344-347
This study aims to assess the effect of beta-carotene supplementation on fecal immunoglobulin A (IgA) in calves. Twenty-two Japanese Black calves were alternately assigned to two groups: 11 calves received 20 mg/day of beta-carotene orally from 2 to 4 weeks of age (BC group), and the other 11 calves did not (control group). Blood samples were collected at 2 weeks of age and 4 weeks of age (two weeks after administration). The serum beta-carotene concentration in the BC group was significantly higher than in the control group two weeks after administration. In addition, the fecal IgA concentration in the BC group was significantly higher than in the control group two weeks after administration. These results suggest that beta-carotene supplementation might increase IgA secretion in the intestinal tract of calves.
