Effect of Vitamin E Supplementation on Copper and Zinc Levels in Plasma and Arsenic Level in Hair and Hoof of Arsenic Exposed Goats

The aim of the present experiment was to investigate effect of vitamin E supplementation on level of Cu and Zn in plasma and that of arsenic in hair and hoof in arsenic exposed goats. Twenty four crossbred lactating goats were randomly distributed into 4 groups of 6 animals each. All the animals including control group were fed basal ration to meet the requirement. The animals in groups T₁, T₂ and T₃ were given arsenic @ 50 mg/kg DM while those in groups T₂ and T₃ were additionally supplemented with vitamin E @100 IU and 150 IU/kg DM, respectively. The experiment lasted for 12 months. In all the groups, Zn decreased at the end of experiment while plasma Cu level was not affected. Plasma vitamin E level also decreased (P<0.05) in all treated groups and vitamin E supplementation in higher doses showed lower declining trend (12.23%) compared to its lower dose (14.05%). In all supplemented groups, plasma As level increased (P<0.05) and vitamin E in higher doses showed comparatively less increase in plasma As level. Concentration of As in hair and hoof increased (P<0.05) in all supplemented groups and vitamin E at higher doses reduced deposition of As. So, As exposure resulted in reduction in plasma Zn and plasma vitamin E level and increased retention of As in blood, hair and hoof in goats. Whereas, vitamin E supplementation @ 100–150 IU/kg DM reduced arsenic retention and resisted the decline in plasma Zn level.