Feeding synthetic vitamin E or milk from vitamin E supplemented murrah buffaloes on growth, immunity and mineral status of calves

Twenty four Murrah buffaloes in advanced pregnancy were randomly divided into 4 groups and were supplemented with vitamin E @ 0, 1000, 1500, 2000 IU from 60d pre-partum to 30d of lactation. The dose was reduced in the supplemented groups to 500, 750, 1000 IU from 30 to 60d of lactation. Eighteen calves born from above 4 groups of buffaloes were divided equally into 3 groups and were fed for 60d; T₁-milk from unsupplemented buffaloes, T₂-pooled milk from vitamin E supplemented buffaloes, T₃–milk from unsupplemented buffaloes+synthetic vitamin E (α-tocopheryl acetate) equivalent to that supplied to T₂ calves through milk. The blood samples were collected at 0, 3, 5, 7, 15, 30 and 60 d for analysing plasma immunoglobulin (Ig), total antioxidant activity, α-tocopherol and mineral status. Lymphocyte stimulation index (LSI) was measured at day 0, 5, 7, 15, 30 and 60. The vitamin E intake in T₁, T₂ and T₃ varied from 3.5–12.04; 6.2–21.5 and 8.0–25.0 mg/d respectively during the experimental period. The growth rate was higher in T₂ calves. Plasma α-tocopherol concentration was also higher in T₂. No treatment effect was seen on plasma total antioxidant activity. Plasma Ig level of 11.20, 9.68 and 10.48 mg/ml on the day of birth increased to 28.59, 37.87 and 31.79 mg/ml after 5d of colostrum feeding in T₁, T₂ and T₃, respectively showing an increase in the T₂ than in T₁ and T₃. An increase (P<0.05) in LSI in T₂ (2.16–2.34) calves was seen from day 7th upto 30 d of age in comparison to T₁ and T₃ (1.73–2.23). The incidence of faecal scour was high in both T₁ and T₃ than T₂. Blood zinc and copper status of T₂ calves was higher (P<0.05) than T₁ and T₃ calves from 7th to 45 days of age. Vitamin E through milk was better utilised than synthetic source in the new born calves as envisaged by higher growth and increased immunity.