Effect of vitamin E supplementation on antioxidant status and selective humoral and cellular immune responses in periparturient buffaloes

Abstract

This study was aimed at assessing the anti oxidant status and selective humoral and cellular immune response mediators in periparturient buffaloes supplemented with vitamin E in the feed regularly. Murrah buffaloes (12) were selected during their late gestation from NDRI herd and divided randomly into 2 groups, comprising 6 each. Buffaloes of group 1 were given only the control diet, while group 2 was supplemented with 2,000 IU/day/head vitamin E along with control feed. Blood sample was drawn from each buffalo at weekly interval from day - 56 to day +56 relative to parturition by jugular vein- puncture. Nitric oxide (NO) level was quantified using modified Griess reaction whereas IL-6, total antioxidant activity (TAA) and IgG levels were estimated in blood plasma using ELISA kits. TAA and IgG levels increased significantly upon vitamin E supplementation. However, levels of cellular immune response mediators (NO and IL-6) were significantly lowered. Except for plasma NO, the levels of all other mediators declined significantly on the day of calving as compared to prepartum levels in both the groups. TAA was also significantly reduced. The magnitude of decline was significantly greater in group 1. It could be concluded that peripartum supplementation of vitamin E to buffaloes not only improved humoral and cellular immune responses but also enhanced total antioxidant activity.