Effect of Nano Zinc Supplementation on Blood Metabolites, Antioxidant Status and Immunological Response in Periparturient Goats

A study was conducted to observe the effects of zinc and nano-zinc supplementation during periparturient period on blood metabolites antioxidant status and immunological response in goats. Periparturient (4 month pregnant) Barbari goats (n= 24, 35±1.5 kg body weight) were equally divided into four groups and were fed concentrate pellet and Bengal gram straw (containing 38.96 ppm zinc) to meet their nutrient requirements. Animals in Gr I: control, Gr II: 20 ppm zinc from inorganic zinc oxide, Gr III: 10 ppm nano-zinc oxide and Gr IV: 20 ppm nano-zinc oxide were supplemented for a period of 75 days (30 days pre- and 45 days post-kidding). The supplementation of nano-zinc significantly (P<0.05) increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD, IU/ml) in Gr IV (18.89) than G II (15.24) and G I (14.77) at 30 days post-kidding. Malondialdehyde (MDA, nmol/ml) concentration was significantly (P<0.05) lower in Gr IV (9.76) than Gr III (16.82), Gr II (18.96) and Gr I (15.88) at 30 days post-kidding. Humoral immune response (HA titer log ) was significantly (P<0.05) 2 higher in Gr IV (3.60) than Gr III (3.20), Gr II (2.60) and Gr I (2.66) at 28 days of zinc supplementation. It was concluded that supplementation of nano-zinc @ 20 ppm improved antioxidant status and humoral and cell-mediated immune response in periparturient goats.