Effect of Vitamin E and Selenium Supplementation on Rumen Metabolites and Protozoa number in Murrah Buffalo (Bubalus Bubalis) Bulls

An experiment was conducted on four rumen fistulated buffalo bulls (aged about 3 years, mean B. Wt. 370 kg) in a 4 x 4 Latin square switch over design, to elucidate the effect of vitamin E and Se supplementation on rumen metabolites and protozoa counts. All the animals were fed on a common concentrate mixture and wheat straw to meet their nutrient requirements. Dietary treatments were: Control (without any supplementation), and diets supplemented either with 0.3 ppm Se, 300 IU of DL-alpha tocopherol acetate/day, or both 0.3 ppm Se and 300 IU DL-α-tocopherol/day. Rumen liquor samples were collected from all the animals at 0 (pre-prandially), and subsequently at 2,4,6 and 8 h post-prandially after 21 days of feeding on a particular diet, and before switching the animals to the next diet for three consecutive days. The rumen liquor pH values were higher (P<0.01) at Oh as compared to 2, 4, 6 and 8h values. Concentration of total-N was found to be higher (P<0.01) at 2h, as compared to the other periods, whereas ammonia nitrogen concentration and protozoa number were significantly lower at 0 and 8h as compared to 2,4 and 6h values. The non-protein-N values significantly (P<0.01) higher at 2 and 4h as compared to zero hour. The TVFA and their fractions (acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid) were significantly lower at 0h as compared to the other periods. However, there was no effect of dietary supplementation of vitamin E (300 IU) and/or Se (0.3ppm) in the diet of buffalo bulls on rumen pH, total-N, TCA-precipitable-N, non-protein-N, total volatile fatty acids, their fractions, and protozoa number in the rumen liquor of buffalo bulls. It may be concluded that supplementation of vitamin E (300 IU) and Se (0.3ppm) did not have any effect on rumen metabolites and protozoa counts in buffalo bulls.