Effect Of Oral Vitamin E Supplementation On Blood And Some Electrolyte Parameters Of Rabbit With Short-Term Hypothermia
Volume 4 - Issue 5, May 2020 Edition
[Download Full Paper]
Author(s)
Ntinya C. Johnson , Benbella Iorliam
Keywords
Hypothermia, Vitamin E, Blood Parameters, Electrolytes and Rabbit.
Abstract
Effects of oral vitamin E supplementation on blood parameters and some electrolytes in acute hypothermia of rabbits were investigated. 24 New Zealand White rabbits, weighing 960 – 1000g were randomly divided into one of three experimental groups: 1 (control, without cooling); 2 (hypothermic) and 3 (hypothermic with vitamin E supplementation). The rabbits of group 3 received daily oral supplementation of 460mg/kg body weight (BW) for 4 days before inducing hypothermia. 24 hours after the last vitamin E supplementation, the rabbits of groups 2 and 3 were cooled by immersion into cold water (10 – 120C) while the control rabbits were immersed into water of body temperature (370C) up to their necks for 5 minutes without any anesthetic or tranquilizer. Rectal body temperatures of groups and blood samples were taken for biochemical analyses after cooling and were immediately snaps frozen. The body temperatures of hypothermic animals were lower (P < 0.05) (T2, 34 ± 1) and (T3, 34.2 ± 0.7) compared with the control (T1, 37.9 ± 0.5). However, white blood cell (WBC), lymphocytes (LYM), sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-) of hypothermic animals + vitamin E were higher (P < 0.05) than those of control animals. The neutrophils (NEU) of the control and group 2 animals were higher (P < 0.05) than those of group 3 animals. All other parameters of group 3 and the control animals were not significantly (P > 0.05) different. It was concluded that oral supplementation of vitamin E can improve the quality of life by stimulating the immune system, maintain enhanced levels of RBC, Hb, WBC as well as those of Na+ and CL- of domesticated rabbits during short-term hypothermia. Therefore, vitamin E can improve rabbit quality of life during hypothermia.
References
[1]. AOAC. 2000. Official Methods of Analysis. 17th ed. Assoc. Off. Anal. Chem. Arlington, VA.
[2]. Bartholomew, A. Latshaw, D. and Swayne, D. E. 1998. Changes in blood chemistry, hematology and histology caused by a selenium/vitamin E deficiency and recovery in chicks. Biol. Trace Elem. Res., 62: 7- 10.
[3]. De La Fuente, M, and Victor, M. 2000. Anti-oxidants as modulators of the immune system. Immunol. Cell Biol. 78:49-54.
[4]. Durakovic, Z. Migigoj-Durakovic, M. and Corovic, N. 2001. Q-T and JT dispersion in the elderly with urban hypothermia. Int. J. Cardiol. 80:221-226.
[5]. Fragou, S. Fegeros, K. Xylouri, E. Baldi, A. and Politis I. 2004. Effect of vitamin E supplementation on various functional properties of macrophages and neutrophils obtained from weaned piglets. J. Vet. Med. 51:178-183.
[6]. Grant, D. R. 1985. A study of some aspects of commercial rabbit production and management. B. Sc. Hons. Thesis, Department of Agriculture, School of Agriculture. University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland.
[7]. Lebas, F. Coudert, P. Rouvier, R. and de Rochambeau, H. 1986. The rabbit, husbandry, health and production. FAO Animal Production and Health Series No. 21, Food and Agriculture Organisation, Rome, Italy.
[8]. Lee, I. M. Cook, N. R. Gaziano, J. M. Gordon, D. Ridker, P. M. Manson, J. E. Hennekens, C. H. and Buring, J. E. 2005. Vitamin E in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer: The women’s Health Study: A randomized controlled trial. JAMA 294: 56-65.
[9]. Donham, K. J.(2000. The concentration of swine production. Effects on swine health, productivity, human health and the environment. Veterinary Clinician of North America. Food Animal Practice, 16: 559-597.
[10]. NRC, 1991. Micro-livestock Little Known Small animals with a promising economic future. National Academy Press, Washington, DC, pp 1- 13.
[11]. NRC, 1998. Nutrient Requirements of Swine. 10th ed. Natl. Acad. Press, Washington, DC.
[12]. NRC, 2012. Nutrient Requirements of Swine. 11th Ed. Natl. Acad. Press. Washington, DC.