Effect of Vitamin E Supplementation on Growth, Nutrient Utilization and Immune Response in Male Murrah Buffalo Calves

To elucidate the effect of different levels of vitamin E supplementation on growth, nutrient utilization and cell mediated immunity, 15 male Murrah buffalo calves (23–24 months old, 279.02±0.17 kg body weight) were randomly divided into three groups of five each. Animals in group I were fed a basal diet comprised of wheat straw and concentrate mixture without any vitamin E supplement, while those in group II and III were given basal diet supplemented with 20 and 40 mg of DL-α -tocopherol acetate/kg diet, respectively. Experimental feeding lasted for a period of 120 days, during which fortnightly body weights and weekly DM intake were recorded. After 90 days of experimental feeding, nutrients digestibility and intake, excretion and balance of nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus were statistically comparable (P>0.05) among groups. Intake of DM, CP, DCP and TDN (g/day and g/kg W^0.75), change in body weight during the course of study and average daily gain were also statistically (P>0.05) similar in among groups. However, cell mediated immunity was found significantly (P<0.05) higher at 48 h in higher level of vitamin E supplemented group in comparison to control and low level of vitamin E supplemented groups. It may be concluded that supplementation of vitamin E at 20 and 40mg/kg DM had no positive effect on growth and digestibility of nutrients; however, cell mediated immunity was higher (P<0.05) in buffalo calves given 40mg of vitamin E/kg DM in comparison to other groups.