Prospective effect of vitamin E and selenium supplementation on colostrum quality in Beetal goats

Abstract

This study was aimed to explore whether vitamin E (Vit-E) and selenium (Se) injections improve colostrum quality in goats. Twenty-four, healthy pregnant Beetal goats were randomly allocated into control (n = 12) and treated (n = 12) groups respectively. The injectable form of Vit-E 2.5 mg/kg BW and Se 2.2 mg/kg BW was administered fortnightly, while normal saline (0.9% NaCl) was used and served as a control group. Colostrum samples were collected immediately after parturition and subjected to biochemical analysis. Colostrum enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants and total soluble proteins were investigated using a spectrophotometer. Antioxidants with enzymatic activities including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidases (POD) and ascorbic acid remained significantly higher in treated animals (P <0.05) in contrast to the control group. The Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total soluble proteins (TSP) levels were noted higher (P<0.05), however; the level of MDA existed significantly lesser in the treated group (P <0.05) in comparison with the control group. Overall, results showed that parental exposure to antioxidants (Vit-E and Se) improved antioxidant status in colostrum and upgrade its quality.

Keywords:

• Beetal goats
• colostrum quality
• selenium
• and vitamin E

Acknowledgments

We are thankful to Mr. Mujahid Hussain, Deputy Chief Scientist for his kind support to conduct this research experiment at Animal Farm, NIAB.

Disclosure statement

Author reported no any conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

We are also thankful to NIAB-C, PIEAS for the financial grant of our experiment. This paper is the part of my PhD thesis.