The influence of vitamin C deficiency on dermatosis in neonatal dairy calves

Abstract

Vitamin C is an important water-soluble antioxidant, which plays necessary roles in an animal's body, especially in neonatal dairy calves. Neonatal dairy calves receive vitamin C from their dam, and in unique situations, it can cause problems within the calf, specifically skin lesions, or dermatosis. This study aims to determine the effects of vit. C deficiency on the skin and coat integrity of the neonate calves. In this study, 10 neonatal dairy calves were used. Five calves were served as the control group, and the other 5 calves were tested for clinically affected with ascorbic acid deficiency. The clinical findings showed that severe scaling, alopecia in different areas of the body, pinna erythematous, purpuric, and pruritus. Samples of plasma were collected to estimate the value of vitamin C and some blood film parameters. The findings also revealed that significant decreases in the level of vitamin C, counting of erythrocytes, concentration of haemoglobin, and packed cell volume. Furthermore, there were significant changes in the neutrophils. Histopathological results revealed hyperkeratosis and congestion in the skin layers. After affected calves were treated with vitamin C, there was improvement and gradual disappearing of the skin gross changes. This study found a close relationship between the vitamin C deficiency in dairy calves and dermatosis (skin integrity).