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, T1, T2 and T3 of eight cows each. Cows under T1 were supplemented with Zn (60 ppm), while those under T2 were supplemented with vitamin E (1000IU); the cows under T3 were supplemented with a combination of vitamin E (1000 IU) 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 T3 than control, T1 and T2 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 T3 in comparison to control, T1 and T2 groups. Milk vitamin E was higher (P<0.05) in vitamin E supplemented groups (T2 and T3) than non-supplemented groups (control and T1). Milk zinc was found higher (P<0.05) in zinc supplemented groups (T1 and T3) than non-supplemented groups (control and T2). 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.