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

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of zinc (Zn) 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 Zn @ 0 ppm (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 showed no effect of dietary treatments but α-tocopherol content was higher(P<0.01) in group T2 as compared to other groups. Total immunoglobulin in colostrum of T2 group was 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 higher (P<0.05) 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) was obtained in groupT2 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