Effect of Vitamin E Supplementation on Milk Yield, Milk Fatty Acids Profile and Economical Efficiency in Buffalo Cows

Abstract

he current study was accomplished to determine the effect of pre-calving administration of vitamin E on post-partum performance of buffalo cows. Fifteen pregnant buffalo cows of three years age were divided in to 3 groups: Control, treatment (T 1) and treatment (T 2). Control group were given no treatment, T 1 group was given vitamin E (3000 IU/h/d) whereas; T 2 group was given vitamin E (6000 IU/h/d) before 8 week of expected calving even after calving 4 months. Milk yield were different significantly (P ≤ 0.05) among treatment groups. T 1 and T 2 showed (P ≤ 0.05) daily milk yield, being 6.97 and 8.13 kg, respectively. The milk composition was not different (P ≥ 0.05) in all groups. The vaccenic acid and romanic acid was higher in treated groups in comparison with control group. The feed and economic efficiency were higher in treated groups than those of control group. Animal group (T 2) showed the best both feed efficiency and economic efficiency, being 1.618 kg DM per 7% kg FCM and 1.7 (price of milk yield /feed cost), respectively. Generally, vitamin E supplementation to lactating buffalo cows rations especially higher level (6000 IU) improved actual milk yield and increased feed and economic efficiency.

Significance of vitamin A and E during periparturient period in dairy cows and buffaloes-A review

“…Chatterjee (2002) recommended that vitamin E supplementation@ 1000 IU/day should be started at least 30 days before parturition to minimize the cases of mastitis upon parturition and therefore increase in milk yield. Kandil et al (2019) reported significant (P<0.05) increase in milk yield on supplementation of vitamin E (3000 IU/head/day and 6000 IU/ head/day) in varying levels. Oldham et al (1991) proved that supplement with vitamin A (170,000 IU) produced significantly more fat corrected milk (FCM) than those receiving only 50,000 IU.…”