Liver Functioning in Murrah Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) Supplemented with Vitamin E during Dry Period

Accepted: 21/05/2015 Abstract The present study was aimed to investigate liver function upon supplementation of vitamin E to dry Murrah buffaloes through analysis of serum enzymes. The Murrah buffaloes (n = 12) were selected during their late gestation from National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) livestock herd and divided randomly into two groups, comprising of six each. Buffaloes of group I were given only control diet, while group II were supplemented with 2000 IU/day/head vitamin E along with control feed. Blood samples were collected from each buffalo at weekly interval from day -56 to day +56 relative to parturition by jugular vein puncture. The enzymes serum Alanine aminotransferase activity (ALT or SGPT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST or SGOT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were quantified by enzyme kit. The results indicated that vitamin E supplementation to dry buffaloes did not alter liver functionality during periparturient period. This was evident through the quantification of serum levels of three main liver enzymes i.e. ALT, AST and ALP in supplemented and non supplemented buffaloes which depicted non significant variations from day -56 prepartum to day +56 post partum. However, the AST and ALT levels were significantly higher (P<0.05) during postpartum period as compared to prepartum in both the groups. ALP levels were not significantly different during periparturient period in both the groups. It was concluded that dietary supplementation of vitamin E to dry buffaloes may not have affected the functionality of liver.