Effect of Vitamin E and Zinc Supplementation on Milk Yield, Milk Composition, and Udder Health in Sahiwal Cows

Present study was conducted to assess the effect of vitamin E and zinc supplementation on milk yield, milk composition and udder health in Sahiwal cows. Thirty-two pregnant Sahiwal cows were selected at sixty days prepartum and divided into four groups namely control, T-1, T-2 and T-3 of eight cows each. Cows under T-1 were supplemented with Zn (60 ppm), while those under T-2 were supplemented with vitamin E (1000IU); the cows under T-3 were supplemented with a combination of vitamin E (1000IU) and zinc (60 ppm) during day 60 prepartum to day 90 postpartum. After calving, milk yield of the experimental animals was recorded daily up to 120 days of lactation. Milk samples were collected fortnightly from all cows of all four groups for the estimation of milk composition (fat, protein, lactose and solid not fat), somatic cell count (SCC), and percentage of subclinical mastitis, vitamin E, and zinc. Dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield, and fat corrected milk were observed higher (P < 0.05) in T-3 than control, T-1 and T-2 groups. Milk composition did not differ significantly among the four groups. Somatic cell count and percentage of subclinical mastitis was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in T-3 in comparison to control, T-1 and T-2 groups. Milk vitamin E was higher (P < 0.05) in vitamin E supplemented groups (T-2 and T-3) than non-supplemented groups (control and T-1). Milk zinc was found higher (P < 0.05) in zinc supplemented groups (T-1 and T-3) than non-supplemented groups (control and T-2). In the present study, vitamin E and zinc supplementation to Sahiwal cows increased the milk yield, vitamin E, and zinc contents in milk, and reduced the somatic cell count and percentage of subclinical mastitis.