Effect of vitamin E and selenium yeast supplementation on growth and antioxidant status in male goat kids

Abstract

An experiment was conducted on 24 male goat kids (6.80±0.20 kg ABW) to elucidate the effect of supplemental vitamin E and/or selenium yeast on their growth, serum antioxidant enzymes, selenium and - tocopherol status. Kids were randomly divided into 4 equal groups and fed a basal diet consisted of concentrate mixture and oat straw to meet their nutrient requirement. Group 1 served as control (without any supplementation), whereas animals in groups 2, 3 and 4 were supplemented either 0.3 mg selenium (Se) as Se-yeast, 100 mg of DL--tocopheryl acetateor both. This feeding practice lasted for 180 days, during which fortnightly body weights of kids were recorded. Blood was collected at day 0, 60, 120 and 180 of experimental feeding and analysed for -tocopherol, Se and activity of antioxidant enzymes i.e. catalase (CAT), super oxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) and malonaldialdehyde (MDA) concentration as a measure of lipid per-oxidation (LPO). Results revealed that the activity of erythrocyte GSH-Px and SOD and MDA concentration as a measure LPO and serum Se weresignificantly higher in all the 3 experimental groups as compared to control. Similarly, the concentration of - tocopherol in serum was significantly higher in group 2, 3 and 4 as compared to group 1. However, growth rate of the kids and concentration of CAT did not differ among the different treatments. It was concluded that vitamin E and Se-yeast supplementation had no effect on body weight gain, but improved the antioxidant status of the kids in terms of erythrocyte GSH-Px, SOD activity and LPO.