Choline Studies with Young Dairy Calves, I. Relation of the Choline Content of Colostrum and Calf Blood

Abstract

Immediately following parturition the choline content of colostrums was found to be comparatively high, averaging 0.69 mg. per ml. for the first milking. The choline content decreased rapidly with subsequent milkings, averaging 0.17 mg. per ml. at the sixth milking and 0.14 mg. per ml. at 1 week. Calf blood choline levels were found to be low at birth, but increased throughout the first week. The increase in choline of the blood was most rapid while the colostrum was comparatively high in choline, indicating that the calf used the choline of the colostrum to increase the amount of choline in its blood. © 1947, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.