Effect of vitamin E and zinc supplementation in pre and post partum period in crossbred cows on anti-oxidant, immunity status and performance of new born calves

Pre and post partum period vitamin E and zinc supplementation effect on performance of new born calves

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to study the effect of zinc supplementation alone and its combination with vitamin E on growth, anti oxidant status and immunity status of new born calves of crossbred cows. The cows were supplemented with 0 (T₀), Zn @ 80 ppm (T₁) and Zn @ 80 ppm + 1000 IU α-tocopheryl acetate/d (T₂) from 60 days prepartum up to 90 days postpartum. The fat, SNF, total solid, protein, Zn and Cu contents content of colostrum showing no effect of dietary treatments but α-tocopherol content was higher significantly (P<0.01) in group T₂ as compared to other groups. Total immunoglobulin in colostrum of T₂ group is 25.87% higher than control. There was no effect of dietary treatments on plasma Zn and Cu levels of calves, however α-tocopherol concentration at day 5 was significantly (P<0.05) higher in group T₂ as compared to other groups. Status of antioxidant enzymes, lymphocyte proliferation index, total and differential leukocyte count was not affected by the treatments. Higher birth weight (P<0.05) has been obtained in group T₂ group as compared to other group. Calves from treatment groups showed lower incidence of morbidity and mortality due to calf scour and other infectious diseases compared to control.