The Impact of Vitamin A and E Supplementation on Buffalo Growth Performance and Antioxidant Levels

The effects of vitamin A and vitamin E supplementation on buffalo growth performance and antioxidant capacity were assessed in this study. Thirty healthy buffalo, weighing between 40 and 50 kg and about two weeks old, were divided into three equal groups at random (n = 10 each): Group 2 received 3.55 IU/kg body weight of vitamin E subcutaneously, while Group 1 received 200,000 IU of vitamin A intramuscularly. As a control, Group 3 was given a 0.9% saline solution. Every therapy was given twice, separated by 72 hours. For six weeks, body weights were measured weekly and at baseline. On days 0, 21 and 42, blood samples were taken in order to assess Glutathione Reductase (GR), Glutathione-S-Transferase (GST), Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC). In addition to a significant decrease in MDA levels, both vitamin-treated groups demonstrated significant improvements in body weight gain and antioxidant indicators (TAC, GR and GST) as compared to the control group (p<0.05).