Twenty Simmental x Angus, half-sibling, postpubertal heifers (initial BW of 443 +/- 9 kg) were allotted randomly to 2 treatments to evaluate if initial BCS affects how heifers respond to energy restriction and repletion. Dependent variables of interest were changes in BW, BCS, and reproductive status [determined by concentrations of serum progesterone (P(4))]. Empty body composition (EBC) was c...

INTRODUCTION Vitamin D has become an area of intensive scrutiny, both in medical and lay literature. However, there are limited data to suggest proper repletion regimens for those patients who have hypovitaminosis D. Consequently, various methods are used in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of various treatment strategies for hypovitaminosis D in an ambulatory...

The effect of Cu status, supplementation, and source on pituitary responsiveness to exogenous GnRH was evaluated using nine multiparous, nonpregnant, nonsuckling, ovariectomized Angus cows (7.1 +/- 3.3 yr; 622.9 +/- 49.8 kg; BCS = 6.0 +/- 0.5). Cows were considered Cu-deficient based on liver Cu concentrations (< 30 mg of Cu/kg of DM) after receiving a low-Cu, forage-based diet supplemented (DM...

Interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (IRBP) is a retinoid and fatty acid binding glycoprotein secreted by rod and cone photoreceptors in all vertebrates. IRBP is believed to serve as a carrier for retinoids in the bleaching and regeneration cycle of rhodopsin. IRBP protein has been found to be decreased in vitamin A-deprived rats; it is rapidly recovered after retinol repletion. To under...

Although hypophosphatemia has been implicated as a cause of respiratory failure, its impact on respiratory muscle function in patients hospitalized for other reasons remains to be determined. Maximal inspiratory pressures (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressures (MEP) were measured at the bedside in 23 hospitalized patients with serum phosphate levels less than 2.5 mg/dl, and these measurements w...

While having the highest vitamin C (VitC) concentrations in the body, specific functions of VitC in the brain have only recently been acknowledged. We have shown that postnatal VitC deficiency in guinea pigs causes impairment of hippocampal memory function and leads to 30% less neurons. This study investigates how prenatal VitC deficiency affects postnatal hippocampal development and if any suc...