Effect of vitamin E and selenium supplementation on growth, nutrient utilization and their balance in male buffalo calves

Twenty male buffalo calves (10-12 months, 75.30 +/- 2.20kg) were divided into four groups of five animals in each in a complete randomized design. Animals were fed on wheat straw and concentrate mixture to meet their nutrient requirements. Treatments were-group I-control (without any supplementation), whereas groups II, III and IV were supplemented with 0.3 ppm selenium, 300 IU of DL-alpha tocopheryl acetate, and both 300 IU DL-alpha tocopheryl acetate and 0.3 ppm selenium, respectively. Experimental feeding lasted for a period of 196 days during which fortnightly body weights and weekly DM intake were recorded. At 120 days of experimental feeding a metabolism trial of 6 days duration was conducted to study the effect of vitamin E and Se supplementation on digestibility of proximate principles, fiber fractions, and balance of nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus. ADG were 423.47, 458.47, 459.65 and 462.85g respectively, in groups I, II, III and IV, revealing a statistically non-significant difference among the four groups. The intake and digestibility of DM, OM, CP, EE, NDF, ADF, cellulose and hemicellulose were also statistically comparable (P>0.05) in the different groups. The intake, excretion and balance of nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus were also found to be similar in the four groups. The TDN and DCP intake (g/day) was also found to be statistically (P>0.05) comparable in the different groups. The overall mean total dry matter intake (TDMI) for the entire experimental period was 3.02, 3.14, 3.03 and 3.18 kg/d in groups 1, 11, 111 and IV, respectively and was comparable (P>0.05) among the different groups. It is concluded that supplementation of vitamin E and Se had no effect on the growth performance and nutrient utilization in male buffalo calves.