Haematological and biochemical profile of Friesian x Bunaji heifers supplemented with inorganic selenium and vitamin E

Abstract

A study was conducted using twenty Friesian x Bunaji heifers to evaluate the effect of supplementing inorganic feed grade Selenium and Vitamin E  on the haematological and biochemical profile. The study consists of four treatments with five animals per Treatment in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Treatment 1 served as Control without Selenium or Vitamin E supplementation. Treatment 2 was supplemented with 3 mg of feed  grade Selenium. Treatment 3 with 20 mg of feed grade Vitamin E. Treatment 4 had a combination of 3 mg feed grade Selenium and 20 mg of Vitamin E. Two sets of blood samples were taken from the animal via jugular venipuncture using a 10 mL syringe fitted with a needle into sample bottles for haematological and biochemical analysis. Neutrophils (19.78 - 29.88%) were similar (p<0.05) and Se supplementation recording the  highest value. Packed cell volume (19.14 – 22.22%), Haemoglobin, Red blood cells, White blood cells, Eosinophil, Monocytes, Basophil and Lymphocytes analyzed were similar (p>0.05). It was observed that there were similarities (p>0.05) in Glucose, Serum protein, globulin, urea N,  albumin, MDA protein, AST, ALT and ALP analyzed except for GSH-Px (22.38 – 24.70 μ/ml). Glutathione peroxidase was higher (p<0.05) in Friesian x Bunaji heifers supplemented with vitamin E and lowest with no supplementation. All parameters analyzed were within the normal range for apparently healthy cattle thereby suggesting that Selenium and Vitamin E as antioxidant are effective in scavenging for free radicals and reducing oxidative damage.

Keywords; Haematology, Biochemical, Selenium, Vitamin E, Friesian x Bunaji