Effect of Vitamin E Supplementation on Mastitis and Milk Quality In Buffaloes

The effect of vitamin E supplementation on plasma α-tocopherol level, incidence of mastitis and milk tocopherol level was studied in Murrah buffaloes during periparturient period. Twenty four buffaloes in advance pregnancy were randomly divided into four equal groups as T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄. They were supplemented with 0, 1000, 1500 and 2000 IU of α-tocopheryl acetate from 60 days prepartum to 30 days postpartum. The dose of vitamin E was reduced to 500,750 and 1000 IU after 30 days of parturition to 60 days postpartum in T₂, T₃ and T₄ groups, respectively. Blood samples, collected at −60, -45, -30, -15, -7, 0, 7, 15, 30 and 60 days of parturition were analyzed for plasma α-tocopherol. Incidence of both subclinical and clinical mastitis was observed. Colostrum and milk samples were also analyzed for α-tocopherol and somatic cell counts. Plasma α-tocopherol levels at 60 days prepartum averaged 1.10, 1.18, 1.11 and 1.06μg/ml which decreased to 0.50, 0.61, 0.75 and 0.78 μg/ml on the day of parturition in the four respective groups. Per cent incidence of sub clinical mastitis as studied by Modified California Mastitis Test (MCMT) was 41.6, 33.3, 25.0 and 25.0 at 15 days postpartum in the four groups, respectively. The percentage of affected teats was significantly (P<0.05) less in all the vitamin E supplemented groups throughout 120 days of lactation than control. Percentage of affected teats under clinical mastitis in different groups was 33.33, 25.00, 16.66 and 16.66 in T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ groups, respectively. There was an increase of 21.64, 51.23 and 54.24% in α-tocopherol content of colostrum on the day of calving in T₂, T₃ and T₄ groups, respectively as compared to T₁. Vitamin E supplementation also escalated milk α-tocopherol level upto 60 days of lactation. The average somatic cell count (SCC) of the supplemented groups was lower (P<0.05) in vitamin E supplemented groups than T₁. It is inferred that supplementation of vitamin E @ 1500 IU/d to buffaloes benefitted the postpartum udder health besides milk quality.