Effects of Dietary Silymarin and Selenium-yeast on Energy Metabolism, Growth, Hematological Indices and Immune Status of Barbari Goat during Cold Stress

Background: The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of silymarin (SM) and selenium-yeast (SY) on energy metabolism, growth, hematological indices and immune status of Barbari goat during cold stress. Methods: Thirty two Barbari goats (age: 6-8 months) were selected from ILFC- II, SVPUAT, Meerut (Uttar Pradesh) India. Experimental animals were randomly divided into four groups (n=8) according to body weight and age. First group (CON/C) was kept as control group giving only basal diet, second group (T1 /SM600) supplemented with 600 mg Silymarin/kg DM, third group (T2 /SeY) supplemented with 0.3 mg Selenium as Se-Yeast/kg DM and fourth group (T3 /SM600+SeY) supplemented with 600 mg Silymarin + 0.3 mg Selenium as Se-Yeast/kg DM along with basal diet for 90 days of the experimental periods. Result: Mean body weight gain (BWG) and dry matter intake (DMI) of the supplemented group was found significantly (P less than 0.01) more than control group where as feed conversion ratio (FCR) was lower (P less than 0.01) in the supplemented group. Plasma glucose concentration was found significantly (P less than 0.01) lower where as plasma concentration of NEFA had no effect in the supplemented group as compare to control group. Haemoglobin and total immunoglobulin level was found significantly (P less than 0.01) higher in supplemented group as compare to control. The results of this study indicated that supplementation of SM and SY have important role in improving growth performance, feed intake and immune status of Barbari goat during cold stress.