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Abstract
dAim: To evaluate the efficacy of a long-acting injectable microencapsulated formulation ofVitamin B12 in dairy calves.
dMethod: Fifty calves, average liveweight 110kg, were randomly allocated to 5 groups of 10 animals and injected subcutaneously in the anterior neck with 0.12, 0.18, 0.24 and 0.3 mg Vitamin B12/kg liveweight using a formulation of microencapsulated Vitamin B12 in a lactide : glycolide copolymer. The untreated calves were injected with the same vehicle, without Vitamin B12. Subsequent changes in serum and liver Vitamin B12 concentrations were followed for 244 days.
dResults: The microencapsulated Vitamin B12 significantly increased, then maintained serum and liver Vitamin B12 concentrations higher than those of untreated controls for at least 110 days.
dConclusions: Injection of the microencapsulated Vitamin B12 at dose rates of 0.12 to 0.24 mg/kg liveweight will increase and maintain the Vitamin B12 status of calves for at least 110 days.