Animal Nutrition & Health

Beta-Carotene & Vitamin A – Do Cattle Need Both?

Infertility is a significant challenge in the dairy industry, leading to the culling of cows and considerable economic losses (Adamczyk, 2017). A major contributor to infertility in cows is poor nutrition, particularly deficiencies in vital nutrients such as beta-carotene and vitamin A. These nutrients are essential for reproductive health, playing critical roles during key phases such as ovulation (Schweigert, 1988). But do cattle need both beta-carotene and vitamin A? This article investigates the specific roles and impacts of beta-carotene and vitamin A on the reproductive health of cows, exploring whether both are necessary for fertility.

Beta-Carotene Mode of Action

Beta-carotene, a naturally occurring pigment in plants, serves as an essential nutrient for cattle and is primarily obtained from forages. Beta-carotene acts as a potent antioxidant, helping to neutralize oxidative stress, particularly in reproductive tissues such as the ovaries. Once ingested, beta-carotene accumulates in key reproductive tissues, such as the follicle and corpus luteum, which are both structures found in the ovary. Here, it plays a critical role in protecting cells from oxidative damage caused by metabolic processes and environmental stressors. Functioning as a free radical scavenger and an oxygen quencher, beta-carotene helps mitigate oxidative stress. Additionally, it works synergistically with other antioxidants, including vitamin E, vitamin C, and polyphenols, to enhance the overall defense against oxidative damage (Léger et al., 2006).

Additionally, beta-carotene functions as a pro-vitamin A in specific tissues. Cattle, being "yellow fat" animals, have a low conversion rate of beta-carotene to vitamin A in the intestine, but conversion occurs locally in the follicular structure. This local conversion is critical for providing vitamin A where needed—supporting reproductive processes such as ovulation and embryo development (Ikeda, 2005).

Beta-Carotene Benefits

A recent study of modern dairy herds revealed that low beta-carotene levels during the critical stage of follicle development can negatively impact fertility and reproductive performance (Mary, 2021). Cows with elevated plasma concentrations of beta-carotene at the time of artificial insemination (AI) demonstrated significantly higher pregnancy rates and reduced incidences of early gestational pregnancy loss.

A study by Madureira et al. (2020) demonstrated that cows with increased beta-carotene concentrations in plasma at the time of AI had significantly improved pregnancy rates and reduced pregnancy loss during gestation. Specifically, increasing beta-carotene levels from 2 to 3.5 µg/mL at time of AI was associated with a 10-point improvement in pregnancy rates in multiparous cows.

Research indicates that beta-carotene supplementation during the prepartum period offers significant benefits for colostrum quality and calf health. Supplemented cows produced colostrum with significantly higher beta-carotene levels, enhancing its nutritional profile and visual appeal with richer red and yellow hues. These color changes correlated with higher IgG levels in more deeply pigmented colostrum compared to lighter samples. Additionally, the fat concentration in colostrum from supplemented cows tended to be higher (P = 0.08), providing an additional energy source to support early calf growth and vitality (Prom et al., 2022).

For calves, beta-carotene supplementation led to higher serum levels of essential minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, sodium, and chloride, all crucial for early development. The study also observed reduced serum activities of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH), suggesting enhanced antioxidant protection and reduced oxidative stress during this critical developmental period (Prom et al., 2022).

Balancing Beta-Carotene and Vitamin A

The conversion efficiency of beta-carotene to retinol increases under vitamin A deficiency (Combs, 2008). In such conditions, beta-carotene is converted to retinol to satisfy immediate vitamin A requirements, reducing its availability for beta-carotene-specific functions. This trade-off may compromise beta-carotene’s role as an antioxidant, support for reproductive health, and immune enhancement, potentially affecting fertility, immune resilience, and overall productivity. 

Modern Cattle Diets Lack Beta-Carotene 

Modern dairy diets—especially those based on corn silage and cereal grains—are often deficient in beta-carotene. For instance, forage conservation through silage or hay-making processes can reduce beta-carotene levels by up to 80%, with further declines during storage (Nozière et al., 2006). Therefore, beta-carotene supplementation is crucial for meeting the nutritional needs of cows, especially those with high reproductive demands, as they are likely not receiving adequate beta-carotene from the preserved forages in the diet.

Supplemental Beta-Carotene Sources

ROVIMIX® beta-carotene, developed by dsm-firmenich, helps address beta-carotene deficiencies in dairy cows. Its formulation keeps beta-carotene stable and bioavailable, even under farm conditions that can typically cause nutrient degradation. This stability helps the active ingredient remain intact and effective, delivering consistent benefits to the animal.

A study demonstrated that supplementation with ROVIMIX® beta-carotene increased beta-carotene levels in the blood, even in cows experiencing negative energy balance. Additionally, supplementation elevated beta-carotene concentrations in follicular fluid, a critical factor for follicular development and ovulation (De Bie et al., 2016).

Conclusion

Beta-carotene and vitamin A play complementary roles in supporting the reproductive health of cattle. Vitamin A is vital for reproductive processes such as ovulation and embryo development. At the same time, beta-carotene serves a dual purpose: it acts as a precursor to vitamin A and functions as a powerful antioxidant. Supplementing diets with beta-carotene helps to correct deficiencies, which can lead to improved reproductive performance, reduced infertility-related culling, and enhanced overall herd productivity. Maintaining optimal levels of both beta-carotene and vitamin A is crucial for sustaining fertility and reproductive efficiency in cattle.

References

Adamczyk, K., Makulska, J., Jagusiak, W., & Węglarz, A. (2017). Associations between strain, herd size, age at first calving, culling reason and lifetime performance characteristics in Holstein-Friesian cows. Animal, 11(2), 327-334. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731116001348.

Combs, G. F. (2008). The vitamins: Fundamental aspects in nutrition and health (3rd ed.). Elsevier Academic Press.

De Bie, J., Langbeen, A., Verlaet, A. A. J., Florizoone, F., Immig, I., Hermans, N., Fransen, E., Bols, P. E. J., & Leroy, J. L. M. R. (2016). The effect of a negative energy balance status on β-carotene availability in serum and follicular fluid of nonlactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 99(7), 5808–5819. 

Ikeda, S. (2005). The roles of vitamin A for cytoplasmic maturation of bovine oocytes. Journal of Reproduction and Development, 51(1), 23-35.

Léger, C.-L. (2006). Anti-oxydants d’origine alimentaire : diversité, modes d’action anti-oxydante, interactions. OCL - Oilseeds and fats, Crops and Lipids, 13(1), 24-30.

Madureira, A. M. L., Pohler, K. G., Guida, T. G., Wagner, S. E., Cerri, R. L. A., & Vasconcelos, J. L. M. (2020). Association of concentrations of beta-carotene in plasma on pregnancy per artificial insemination and pregnancy loss in lactating Holstein cows. Theriogenology, 142, 216-221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.10.006

Mary, A. E. P., Artavia Mora, J. I., Ronda Borzone, P. A., Richards, S. E., & Kies, A. K. (2021). Vitamin E and beta-carotene status of dairy cows: A survey of plasma levels and supplementation practices. Animal: An International Journal of Animal Bioscience, 15(8), 100303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2021.100303

Nozière, P., Graulet, B., Lucas, A., Martin, B., Grolier, P., & Doreau, M. (2006). Carotenoids for ruminants: From forages to dairy products. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 131(3-4), 418-450. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2006.06.018

Prom, C. M., Engstrom, M. A., & Drackley, J. K. (2022). Effects of prepartum supplementation of β-carotene on colostrum and calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 105(11), 8839–8849. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2022-22210

Schweigert, F. J., Wierich, M., Rambeck, W. A., & Zucker, H. (1988). Carotene cleavage activity in bovine ovarian follicles. Theriogenology, 30(5), 923-930. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0093-691X(88)80054-2

Published on

16 December 2024

Tags

  • Ruminants
  • Vitamins

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