To study the effect of vitamin E (VE), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) supplementation on the in vitro phagocytic activity (PA) and lymphocyte proliferation response (LPR) of blood neutrophils and lymphocytes, thirty Sahiwal pregnant cows (six in each group) in their late gestation at 30 days before the expected date of calving were selected from the NDRI experimental herd and supplemented with various micronutrients from 30 days before calving to 45 days after calving. Cows were supplemented individually with VE (1000 IU/cow/day), Cu (20 ppm/cow/day) and Zn (80 ppm/cow/day) and also with a combination of VE, Cu and Zn to study cumulative effect of all micronutrients. One group without any supplementation acted as a control. Blood neutrophils and lymphocytes were isolated and studied for their PA and LPR. Supplementation of micronutrients like VE, Cu, Zn and a combination of all these nutrients significantly (p < 0.01) increased the PA of experimental cows as compared to control (unsupplemented) cows during the pre-partum period. During post-partum, all the micronutrients (VE, Cu, Zn and their combination) showed a significant (p < 0.01) increase in the PA of experimental cows as compared to control cows. Of all the groups, significant (p < 0.01) and maximum PA was observed in the combination group followed by Zn-supplemented group during both the pre- and post-partum period. A significant (p < 0.01) increase in LPR of B lymphocytes was observed in combination-supplemented group during the pre-partum period and during both the pre- and post-partum period in the Cu-supplemented group.

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The present work was conducted to investigate the effects of supplementing aloe vera extract on rumen fermentation e ciency, nutrient utilization, lactation performance and antioxidant status of goats. Twenty-four crossbreed lactating goats (Alpine × Beetal) were divided into three experimental groups (AV0, AV2 and AV4). AV0 had no supplementation, group AV2 and AV4 received ready to feed aqueous extract of aloe vera at 20 and 40 g/kg dry matter intake, respectively, along with basal diet and experiment lasted for 100 days. Average DMI did not vary (P > 0.05) among treatment groups; however, the cumulative metabolic bodyweight of AV4 was signi cantly lower (P < 0.05) than the AV0 and AV2 groups (AV0 = AV2 > AV4). Intake and digestibility of DM, OM, CP, NDF, ADF, and EE was unaffected (P > 0.05) by aloe vera supplementation. The milk production, yield of milk fat, protein, lactose and solids not fat (SNF) of goats in the AV4 group was signi cantly higher (P < 0.05) than other groups (AV4 > AV2 = AV0). The activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase and levels of plasma ferric reducing total antioxidant power were high (P < 0.01) in the aloe vera supplemented group (AV4 = AV2 > AV0). There was no signi cant difference (P = 0.979) in the pH, acetic acid (P = 0.449), butyric acid (P = 0.864) concentration of the rumen liquor among the treatment groups. The propionic acid concentration was similar between AV2 and AV4 and signi cantly higher (P = 0.024) than the AV0 group (AV4 = AV2 > AV0). Moreover, C2:C3 values were signi cantly lower (P = 0.037) in the AV4 group compared to the Control (AV0). Thus, aloe vera supplementation enhanced milk yield, propionic acid production, and antioxidant status without affecting nutrient utilization; however, results were better in the AV4 group. The inclusion of aloe vera at 40 g/kg of DMI would improve the rumen fermentation e ciency, lactation performance and overall health status of the dairy goats.

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