Effect of dietary supplementation of Vitamin E on the resumption of cyclic ovarian activity in Murrah buffaloes

Abstract

The postpartum anestrus and silent estrus are the challenging cause for low reproductive efficiency in buffaloes especially in tropical climate conditions. This study was aimed at assessing the effect of dietary supplementation of vitamin E on the resumption of cyclic ovarian activity in periparturient Murrah buffaloes through plasma progesterone (P4) hormone profiles. The Murrah buffaloes (n=12) were selected during their late gestation based on the expected date of calving that fall between November and February, from ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute livestock herd and were divided randomly into two groups (n=6). Buffaloes of group I were given only the control diet, while group II was supplemented with 2000 IU/day/head vitamin E along with control feed. Blood samples were collected from each buffalo at weekly intervals from day +21 to +56 after calving. Plasma P4 was estimated by direct radioimmunoassay (RIA). The results revealed that plasma P4 levels were statistically non-significant between groups except on day 21. However, the overall P4 profile of each buffalo indicated ovarian activity; from day 28 postpartum in supplemented group and day 42 in the control group. From the experiment, it could be inferred that the dietary supplementation of vitamin E has no effect on the resumption of cyclic ovarian activity/ steroidogenesis.

Keywords

• Buffaloes, Progesterone, Postpartum, Vitamin E