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Journals / Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi / 2026 / Volume: 73 Issue: 3

Effects of using different levels of the emulsified vitamin D3 on performance, blood metabolites and antioxidant parameters of Holstein suckling female calves

Karim Cheshm Berah(University of Mohaghegh Ardabili)0009-0007-6549-6421
Jamal Seıfdavatı(University of Mohaghegh Ardabili)0000-0001-6794-4450
Hossein Abdi-Benemar(University of Mohaghegh Ardabili)0000-0001-5318-4585
Reza Seyedsharifi(University of Mohaghegh Ardabili)0000-0003-4593-2058
Abdelfattah Zeidan Mohamed Salem(Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México)0000-0001-7418-4170
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-07-01
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Furthermore, this intervention concurrently supports essential metabolic pathways by elevating serum 25-hydroxy D3 while providing a beneficial systemic effect evidenced by a reduction in the liver marker ALT.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study investigated the effects of emulsified vitamin D3 supplementation on growth performance, blood metabolites, and antioxidant parameters of Holstein suckling female calves.
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Key Findings & Data:Thirty-six neonatal calves (average body weight: 36 kg; average age: 1-4 days) were randomly distributed across four treatment groups: a control group without supplementation, and three treatment groups receiving 500, 750, or 1000 IU of vitamin D3 emulsion daily via milk.
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Conclusion & Impact:Furthermore, this intervention concurrently supports essential metabolic pathways by elevating serum 25-hydroxy D3 while providing a beneficial systemic effect evidenced by a reduction in the liver marker ALT.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Antioxidant parameters · Blood metabolites · Growth performance

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of emulsified vitamin D3 supplementation on growth performance, blood metabolites, and antioxidant parameters of Holstein suckling female calves. Thirty-six neonatal calves (average body weight: 36 kg; average age: 1-4 days) were randomly distributed across four treatment groups: a control group without supplementation, and three treatment groups receiving 500, 750, or 1000 IU of vitamin D3 emulsion daily via milk. Average daily gain (ADG) increased linearly, with the highest values observed in calves receiving 750 IU and 1000 IU per day, compared with the control and lower-dose treatments (P<0.05). Dry matter intake (DMI) exhibited a significant linear upward trend across the three supplementation levels (500, 750, and 1000 IU) compared with the unsupplemented controls (P=0.001) over the initial 21 days. Total DMI increased significantly and linearly in the 750 IU and 1000 IU cohorts (P<0.05). The feed conversion ratio (FCR) showed a linear decrease in the 750 IU and 1000 IU treatments relative to the control group (P<0.05). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentration exhibited a linear decrease in calves receiving the higher doses (750 and 1000 IU) compared with the remaining experimental animals (P<0.05). Supplementing suckling calves with Vitamin D3 emulsion leads to higher ADG, greater DMI, and improved FCR. Furthermore, this intervention concurrently supports essential metabolic pathways by elevating serum 25-hydroxy D3 while providing a beneficial systemic effect evidenced by a reduction in the liver marker ALT.

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Cite This Article

Berah, K. C., Seıfdavatı, J., Abdi-Benemar, H., Seyedsharifi, R., Salem, A. Z. M. (2026). Effects of using different levels of the emulsified vitamin D3 on performance, blood metabolites and antioxidant parameters of Holstein suckling female calves. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, Volume: 73 Issue: 3. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1831840

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