Beta-carotene supplementation provides some benefits

Beta-carotene functions separately from Vitamin A as an antioxidant and can directly enhance immunity with possible reproduction and udder-health benefits. Beta-carotene research to date has had a multitude of responses with inconsistent results.

The National Research Council concluded that the data were insufficient to establish a beta-carotene requirement for dairy cattle. However, they did recommend that additional dietary vitamin A be considered in certain diets. Mary Beth de Ondarza, nutritionist with Paradox Nutrition in West Chazy, N.Y., recently conducted research on a commercial dairy operation to see if supplementing beta-carotene to cows with normally low serum beta-carotene (< 3 ug/mL) levels (but adequate vitamin A supplementation) would affect synthesis of milk components, milk yield and reproduction. Treated and control cows were housed in a free-stall barn in separate pens. The study was 120 days in length. Half of the cows received supplemental beta-carotene (425 mg/d per cow) and half did not. Results showed that milkfat percentage was higher (P< 0.05) for cows that were fed beta-carotene. Although total yield of 3.5 percent fat-corrected milk was generally not affected by beta-carotene supplementation, early-lactation cows (0 to 100 days in milk) tended to produce more 3.5 percent FCM when supplemented with beta-carotene, and cows in their third or greater lactations produced more 3.5 percent FCM when supplemented with beta-carotene. Overall milkfat production was unaffected by treatment. Milk true protein percentage and milk true protein production were not affected by supplementation, either. Results also indicate a positive impact on pregnancy rates.

Read the paper that de Ondarza presented at the Penn State Nutrition Conference.

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