Absence of a vitamin B12 weight gain response in two trials with growing red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Authors: Clark RG, Wallace D, Valler T, Burbage J, Marshall PM
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 34, Issue 11, pp 199-201, Nov 1986
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Deer, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant
Subject Terms: Growth/development, Research/development, Trace elements, Cobalt/vitamin B12, Vitamins
Article class: Correspondence

---

Abstract: Cobalt deficiency has long been recognised in New Zealand as a disease in sheep and cattle which may occur when they graze pastures of low cobalt content to.08 mg/kg DM and CO.04 mg/kg DM respectively. In recent years the farming of red deer (Cervus elaphus) on soil types known to be marginally, moderately or severely deficient has raised the question of how susceptible these species are to cobalt deficiency. To the authors` knowledge there is no published information on the susceptibility of red deer to cobalt deficiency. To help diagnose cobalt status, serum and liver samples from deer have been analysed and compared with reference ranges in sheep. As pointed out by Familton et al (1985) this practice can lead to misinterpretation. Reference ranges and reliability of tests can vary between species. For example serum vitamin B12 is a reliable test to diagnose cobalt deficiency in sheep but not in cattle. We wish to report the results of two vitamin B12 weight gain reponse trials in weaner and yearling red deer hinds…

---