Mitigation of Adverse Effects of Arsenic by Supplementing Vitamin E in Crossbred Kids Maintained at Low Protein Diet

Ameliorative potential of vitamin E on adverse effects of arsenic in growing crossbred kids maintained at low protein diet was investigated. Twelve male goat kids (3–4 months of age), divided in 3 groups (control, T₁ and T ₂) of 4 each, were maintained on a diet having 25% lower protein than recommended by NRC (1981). The animals of group T₁ and T ₂ were given 50 ppm arsenic (As) while the later group was supplemented with vitamin E @ 50 IU/kg DM during an experimental period of 90 days. Daily feed intake and weekly body weight of all the animals were recorded. Blood samples were collected at 0 day and subsequently at monthly intervals for the estimation of various blood parameters and enzymes. No clinical sign of oral administration of As was observed during the experimental period. Body weight gain (g/day) was lower (P>0.05) in group T₁(37.55±10.27) than in control group (45.88±10.45) and group T₂ (44.44±11.84). The DMI in control, T₁ and T ₂ groups was 3.35, 3.34 and 3.37 kg/100 kg body weight and variation among groups was not significant. There was no significant variation among groups for blood haemoglobin, blood glucose level and activity of antioxidant enzyme and SOD, however, catalase enzyme activity declined to the extent of 24% and 7% in groups T₁ and T ₂, respectively, at 90th day of experimental feeding, indicating adverse effect of arsenic can be ameliorated by the supplementation of vitamin E. TBARS values were higher (P<0.01) in treatment groups than in control group, but non significant difference between T₁ and T ₂ suggested the inadequacy of vitamin E dose to reduce the lipid peroxidation as a result of dietary arsenic. Significant increase in the, activities of ALT and AST in both treatment groups on 90th day of experimental feeding suggested that vitamin E supplementation was not sufficient enough to manifest its protective effect.