Effect of additional vitamin E and zinc supplementation on immunological changes in peripartum Sahiwal cows.
This study was conducted to exploit ameliorative effect of additional vitamin E and/or zinc supplementation on immune response of peripartum Sahiwal cows. Thirty-two pregnant dry Sahiwal cows were blocked into four treatment groups (n = 8), namely control, zinc (Zn), vitamin E (Vit E) and zinc + vitamin E (Zn + Vit E). Feeding regimen was same in all the groups except that the Sahiwal cows in the zinc-, vitamin E- and zinc + vitamin E-fed groups were additionally supplemented with 60 mg Zn/kg DM, 1000 IU vitamin E and 60 mg/kg + 1000 IU Zn + vitamin E, respectively, from day 60 pre-partum to day 90 post-partum. Blood samples were collected on days -60, -45, -30, -15, -7, -3, 0, 3, 7, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 with respect to day of parturition and analysed for total immunoglobulin (TIG), immunoglobulin G (IgG), interleukin-2 (IL-2), vitamin E (Vit E) and zinc (Zn) status. Before calving, cows showed a decrease in plasma TIG, IgG, IL-2, Vit E and Zn levels. However, increased levels of plasma TIG, IgG, IL-2, Vit E and Zn were observed after calving. After calving, Sahiwal cows supplemented with Zn + Vit E had higher plasma TIG, IgG and IL-2 in comparison with cows of control and Zn + Vit E-fed groups. In the present study, plasma vitamin E level was higher in Vit E-fed and Zn + Vit E-fed cows; however, zinc level was higher in Zn- and Zn + Vit E-supplemented cows. In conclusion, a reduced immune response during peripartum period in Sahiwal cows was ameliorated by dietary vitamin E and zinc supplementation.
Dairy Cattle Physiology Division, National Dairy Research Institute Karnal, Haryana, India.
G
G
Chandra
A
A
Aggarwal
M
M
Kumar
A K
AK
Singh
V K
VK
Sharma
R C
RC
Upadhyay
D000821:Animal Feed; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood; D058725:Peripartum Period / Q000187:drug effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
D007136:Immunoglobulins; D007376:Interleukin-2; D014810:Vitamin E; D015032:Zinc
dairy cows; peripartum; vitamin E; zinc