Effects of vitamin A on intramuscular fat development in beef cattle: A meta-analysis

Wei Li; Fang Wang; Fang Sun; Yongli Qu; Chunhai Liu; Yongsheng Han; Hongbao Wang; Botao Jiang; Peng Zhong; Jiahui Wang; Xueying Song; Meng Huang; Deli Ding

doi:10.3389/fvets.2023.1105754

Effects of vitamin A on intramuscular fat development in beef cattle: A meta-analysis

Front Vet Sci. 2023 Mar 15:10:1105754. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1105754. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Wei Li¹, Fang Wang², Fang Sun³, Yongli Qu⁴, Chunhai Liu⁵, Yongsheng Han¹, Hongbao Wang¹, Botao Jiang¹, Peng Zhong¹, Jiahui Wang¹, Xueying Song¹, Meng Huang¹, Deli Ding¹

Affiliations

¹ Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences Livestock Veterinary Branch, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, China.
² Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Resistance Gene Engineering and Protection of Biodiversity in Cold Areas, College of Life Sciences and Agroforestry, Qiqihar University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, China.
³ Institute of Animal Husbandry, Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China.
⁴ College of Animal Science and Technology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, Heilongjiang, China.
⁵ Liaoning FEEDIG Feedstuff Technology Co., Ltd., Xingcheng, Liaoning, China.

Abstract

Vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin, is the basic substance required to maintain healthy vision and the main physiological functions of cattle. The results from previous studies regarding the effect of vitamin A on intramuscular fat varied. This meta-analysis aimed to generate a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between vitamin A and intramuscular fat content and to provide potential clues for future research and commercial practice. Electronic databases such as MEDLINE and Ovid were systematically searched, and studies investigating the relationship between vitamin A and intramuscular fat content were included. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) in intramuscular fat percentage and intramuscular fat score, with their respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs), were calculated. The heterogeneity and publication bias were evaluated. A total of 152 articles were identified through searches of databases. Seven articles were confirmed for inclusion in this meta-analysis. The SMD of IMF percentage derived from the analysis was-0.78 (-2.68, 1.12) (Q = 246.84, p < 0.01). The SMD of the IMF score was 1.25 (-2.75, 5.25) (Q = 87.20, p < 0.01). Our meta-analysis indicates that the addition of vitamin A could decrease intramuscular fat in cattle steers.

Keywords: beef cattle; intramuscular fat; meta-analysis; steers; vitamin A.

Publication types

Systematic Review

Grants and funding

This study received funding from the China Agriculture Research System of MOF and MARA and the Construction Project of Modern Agricultural Technology Collaborative Innovation and Extension System in Heilongjiang Province [Letter from the Heilongjiang Department of Agriculture (2021) No. 1492].