The effect of increasing the Vitamin B12 status of Romney ewes on foetal liver Vitamin B12, milk Vitamin B12 and liver Vitamin B12 concentrations in suckling lambs

Authors: Grace ND
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 47, Issue 3, pp 97-100, Jun 1999
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant, Sheep
Subject Terms: Clinical pathology, Diagnostic procedures, Cobalt/vitamin B12, Trace elements, Liver/hepatic disease, Toxicology, Vitamins
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract: AIM: To determine the effect of increasing the Vitamin B₁₂ status of the ewe on the Vitamin B₁₂ supply to the suckling lamb.
METHODS: The Vitamin B₁₂ status of the ewe was increased during gestation and lactation by three injections of a longacting preparation of Vitamin B₁₂ microencapsulated in an organic acid polymer. The Vitamin B₁₂ status of the ewes and suckling lambs was assessed from changes in serum and liver Vitamin B₁₂ concentrations.
RESULTS: Compared to untreated animals, serum and liver Vitamin B₁₂ concentrations of the treated ewes were increased at least 70% during gestation. Foetal liver Vitamin B₁₂ concentrations were increased 270%. Over the lactation, ewe serum and milk Vitamin B₁₂ concentrations were increased at least 200% and 44%, respectively. The liver Vitamin B₁₂ stores of the newborn lambs from Vitamin B₁₂-treated ewes were depleted within 58 days. There were no significant differences in the serum Vitamin B₁₂ concentrations of suckling lambs from Vitamin B_12-treated and untreated ewes.
CONCLUSION: Ewes with a high Vitamin B₁₂ status will ensure an adequate supply of Vitamin B₁₂ to their lambs for at least the first 30 days of life. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In flocks grazing Co-deficient pastures, treating ewes with a long-acting Vitamin B₁₂ supplement at mating will prevent Vitamin B₁₂ (Co) deficiency in ewes, as well as their lambs, until they can be treated at tailing at 4-6 weeks of age.
KEY WORDS: Ewes, lambs, Co deficiency, long-acting Vitamin B_12.

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