Biomaterial Database

Effects of vitamin A and beta-carotene on reproductive performance in gilts. 1985

S Brief, and B P Chew

The effects of vitamin A and beta-carotene on various reproductive parameters were examined in 108 crossbred gilts. Gilts were fed a diet free of vitamin A and beta-carotene for 5 wk, then assigned to one of eight treatments. Statistical comparisons were performed on three sub-groupings of these treatments as follows: (1) DEFICIENT (received 2,100 IU of vitamin A X head-1 X d-1, (2) FED (received dietary supplementation of 0, 2,100 or 12,300 IU vitamin A and (or) 0, 32.6 or 65.2 mg beta-carotene X head-1 X d-1) or (3) INJECTED (received injection supplementation of 0 or 12,300 IU vitamin A and 32.6 mg beta-carotene X head-1 X d-1, administered once weekly). Gilts remained on treatment through weaning of litters at 21 d postpartum. Plasma vitamin A and beta-carotene levels were greatly elevated in INJECTED gilts. Concentrations of these compounds in plasma were similar between DEFICIENT and FED gilts. There was no treatment difference in number of corpora lutea/gilt. Embryonic mortality was lowest (P less than .01 to .02) in INJECTED gilts (14 +/- 3%) compared with DEFICIENT (29 +/- 5%) or FED (25 +/- 3%) gilts. Baby pig mortality averaged 6 +/- 1% and was not different among treatments. INJECTED gilts had more (P less than .05 to .01) piglets/litter at birth and at weaning (9.5 +/- .3 and 9.0 +/- .3 piglets/litter, respectively) than DEFICIENT (7.9 +/- .5 and 7.6 +/- .5 piglets/litter) or FED gilts (8.7 +/- .3 and 8.1 +/- .3 piglets/litter).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D012098	Reproduction	The total process by which organisms produce offspring. (Stedman, 25th ed)	Human Reproductive Index,Human Reproductive Indexes,Reproductive Period,Human Reproductive Indices,Index, Human Reproductive,Indexes, Human Reproductive,Indices, Human Reproductive,Period, Reproductive,Periods, Reproductive,Reproductive Index, Human,Reproductive Indices, Human,Reproductive Periods
D001835	Body Weight	The mass or quantity of heaviness of an individual. It is expressed by units of pounds or kilograms.	Body Weights,Weight, Body,Weights, Body
D002338	Carotenoids	The general name for a group of fat-soluble pigments found in green, yellow, and leafy vegetables, and yellow fruits. They are aliphatic hydrocarbons containing 4 terpene subunits.	Carotenes,Carotenoid,Tetraterpene Derivatives,Tetraterpenes,Carotene,Derivatives, Tetraterpene
D003126	Colostrum	The thin, yellow, serous fluid secreted by the mammary glands during pregnancy and immediately postpartum before lactation begins. It consists of immunologically active substances, white blood cells, water, protein, fat, and carbohydrates.	Colostrums
D005260	Female		Females
D005527	Food, Fortified	Any food that has been supplemented with essential NUTRIENTS either in quantities that are greater than those normally present, or which are not found in the food typically. Fortified food also includes food enriched by adding various nutrients to compensate for those removed by refinement or processing. (Modified from Segen, Dictionary of Modern Medicine, 1992).	Enriched Food,Food, Supplemented,Enriched Foods,Food, Enriched,Foods, Enriched,Foods, Fortified,Foods, Supplemented,Fortified Food,Fortified Foods,Supplemented Food,Supplemented Foods
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013552	Swine	Any of various animals that constitute the family Suidae and comprise stout-bodied, short-legged omnivorous mammals with thick skin, usually covered with coarse bristles, a rather long mobile snout, and small tail. Included are the genera Babyrousa, Phacochoerus (wart hogs), and Sus, the latter containing the domestic pig (see SUS SCROFA).	Phacochoerus,Pigs,Suidae,Warthogs,Wart Hogs,Hog, Wart,Hogs, Wart,Wart Hog
D014801	Vitamin A	Retinol and derivatives of retinol that play an essential role in metabolic functioning of the retina, the growth of and differentiation of epithelial tissue, the growth of bone, reproduction, and the immune response. Dietary vitamin A is derived from a variety of CAROTENOIDS found in plants. It is enriched in the liver, egg yolks, and the fat component of dairy products.	Retinol,11-cis-Retinol,3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-2,4,6,8-nonatetraen-1-ol, (all-E)-Isomer,All-Trans-Retinol,Aquasol A,Vitamin A1,All Trans Retinol
D019207	beta Carotene	A carotenoid that is a precursor of VITAMIN A. Beta carotene is administered to reduce the severity of photosensitivity reactions in patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria (PORPHYRIA, ERYTHROPOIETIC).	Betacarotene,BellaCarotin,Carotaben,Max-Caro,Provatene,Solatene,Vetoron,beta-Carotene,Carotene, beta,Max Caro,MaxCaro