Vitamin A Status Of Neonatal Foals Assessed By Serum Retinol Concentration And A Relative Dose Response Test

Greiwe-Crandell KM, SD Kronfeld, LS Gay, D Sklan, PA Harris. 1996. Vitamin A status of neonatal foals assessed by serum retinol concentration and a relative dose response test. Pferdeheilkunde 12(3):181-183.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the vitamin A status of the newborn foal. Serum retinol and the relative dose response (RDR) test between 12 and 24 hours postpartum were used to assess vitamin A status in 28 Thoroughbred foals born to mares in 3 different feed groups being supplemented with vitamin A palmitate, ß-carotene or a placebo. A correlation was found between foal and mare serum. Serum retinol levels were lower and RDRs were higher in the newborns than in the mares. No differences were found between foals born of mares with different vitamin A supplementation.

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