Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Vitamin E and / or Selenium on Metabolic and Reproductive Performance of Egyptian Baladi Ewes under Subtropical Conditions

Forty-eight Baladi ewes were used to determine the effects of supplementation of vitamin E and /or Selenium on Effects of dietary supplementation with vitamin E and /or Selenium on metabolic and reproductive performance of Egyptian Baladi under subtropical conditions. The ewes were randomly assigned into six equal groups (n=8); group 1, was kept as a control and was fed the basal diet; group 2 selenium (Se) was fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.3 mg of selenium per kg of diet. Group 3 vitamin E (Vit E ) and group 4 (Vit E ) received 1 2 the same basal diet supplemented with 25, 50 mg Vit E per kg of diet respectively. Group 5 selenium+ vitamin E (Se +Vit E ) and group 6 selenium+ vitamin E (Se+VitE ) were fed the same basal diet supplemented with 1 1 2 2 0.3mg of selenium plus 25 and 50 mg Vit E per kg of diet respectively. All animals were checked for the onset of estrus two times daily using intact ram. Fertility measures including estrus response, time interval between the treatment to onset of estrus, pregnancy and lambing rates were recorded. The number of lambs, sex ratio (male/female) and frequency of single, twin and mortality rate were recorded among different groups. As well as, weight of lambs were recorded at birth and monthly till weaning (Four months). Blood samples were collected weekly and the serum was separated for determination of hormonal concentration (Triiodothyronine, T3 and thyroxin T4) and metabolites (Total protein, albumin, globulin and urea concentrations). Results showed that, Se + vit E and Se + vit E supplemented ewes had a significantly (p<0.01) decreased the mean time interval 1 2 from supplementation to 1 estrus as compared to control group (17.2±2.1, 16.4±1.4 vs. 21.3±1.7 days, st respectively). A remarkable improvement in the lambing rates was recorded in Se + Vit E groups (100.0%) 2 followed by Se + vit E vit E , vit E and Se groups (87.5, 87.5, 75.0 and 75.0 %, respectively). The lower 1, 2 1 percentage (62.5%) was observed in control groups. Similar tendency was observed at time of weaning (4 month). The litter size at lambing was not affected by the vitamin supplementation. The mean body weight of lambs born to Se + Vit E supplemented groups were significantly higher (3.8 ± 0. 5; p< 0.05) than those on 2 control, Se, Vit E and E (2.9 ± 0.43, 3.3 ± 0.48, 3.3 ± 0.37and 3.4 ± 0.44 kgm respectively). The incidence of lamb 1 2 mortality was found only in control and Se group (16.7 and 14.3 % respectively). The sex ratio (male/female) was found to be higher in Se + Vit E group (1.4) and the lower one in control group (0.5). The proportion of twinning 2 was found to be highest in groups supplemented with Se + Vit E and Se + vit E (42.8; 50.0% respectively). 1 2 Vitamin E plus Se supplementation exerts a significant (p<0.05) increasing effect on total serum protein and globulin. The serum urea concentration among different supplement were not significant different. A significantly (p<0.05) elevation in serum concentration of T in ewes supplemented of Vit E , Se+ vit E and 4 2 1 Se + vit E groups (19.9 ± 1.0; 20.1 ± 1.8, 20.7 ± 1.7 ug/ml, p< 0.05., respectively) than those of the control and 2 Se groups (17.6 ± 0.6; 17.6 ± 0.5 ug/ml,, respectively ). However, the hormonal levels of T did not significantly 3 differ among supplemented groups. Rectal temperature and respiratory rates of experimental animal were not significantly change in the present study. It was concluded that supplementation of Baladi ewes during summer season with 50 mg vitamin E plus 0.3mg of selenium could improve their reproductive performance and growth of their lambs. Also supplementation of more than one antioxidant had a beneficial effect on blood metabolites related protein metabolism and hormonal concentrations of thyroxin.