[The effect of vitamin E on cortisol and lactate levels and on the acid-base equilibrium in calves exposed to transportation stress]. / Vplyv vitamínu E na hladinu kortizolu, laktátu a acidobázickú rovnováhu u teliat vystavených transportnej zátazi.

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of vitamin E administration on plasma levels of cortisol and lactate, and on acid base balance in transported calves. In the study, eight calves, aged approx. ten days, divided into two groups, were used. 20 mg of tocopherol-acetate per kg body weight were administered orally to each of the four experimental calves 24 hours before loading. The calves were transported by road for 3 hours. Blood samples collected before and after the transportation were examined for acid base balance, lactate, and plasma vitamin E and cortisol levels. The administration of vitamin E led to a decrease of cortisol levels in 24 hours (from 7.6 +/- 9.5 to 4.2 +/- 0.2 nmol/l) as well as to a significant increase (p < 0.05) of plasma vitamin E levels 26 h after administration (from 2.52 +/- 1.36 to 12.28 +/- 6.14 mumol/l). There was no difference between the groups in cortisol response due to transportation stress (Tab. III). The transportation caused typical stress changes in lactate levels and acid base balance (lactacidaemia and the tendency to acidosis, Tab. III, IV). There was approx. threefold increase in plasma lactate concentrations due to transportation (from 2.49 +/- 0.69 to 6.35 +/- 3.75 mmol/l). The results of the present study demonstrated metabolic changes which has been reported to be typical of mild physiological stress reaction. In the present study, vitamin E had no significant effect on plasma levels of cortisol, and lactate, and acid-base balance.

Effects of iron and vitamin E administration on some immunological parameters in pigs.

The effects of intramuscular administration of iron and vitamin E on phagocytic functions of leucocytes and on T-lymphocyte percentages were studied. Twelve pigs with an average body weight (BW) of 40 kg were divided into four treatment groups: +E (20 mg tocopheryl acetate per kg BW); +Fe (10 mg iron dextran per kg BW); +E/+Fe (20 mg tocopheryl acetate + 10 mg iron dextran per kg BW), C (control). Blood samples were collected from the sinus ophthalmicus prior to administration the preparations, and then at 12, 24, 48, 72 hours, and 7 days after administration. The iron injection led to a significant increase (p < 0,05) in plasma iron concentrations in both groups given Ferridextran. An evaluation of the immunological parameters showed the greatest rise in T-lymphocyte percentages as well as in metabolic activity of phagocytes (tetrazolium reduction) in vitamin E treated groups (+E, +E/+Fe) within 24 hours after injection. No interactive effects between vitamin E and iron on the immunological parameters studied were found.