Impact of Organic Selenium and Vitamin E on Rumen Fermentation, Milk Production, Feed Digestibility, Blood Parameters and Parasitic Response of Lactating Goats

Twenty Barki goats were used for evaluating the effects of oral administration of Selenium Yeast Plus vitamin E (SYPE) on rumen fermentation, milk production, feed digestibility, blood parameters and resistance to parasites. Goats were randomly divided into two groups of ten animals, control group without any treatment and treated group with 100 mg of SYPE between days 14 prepartum and 49 postpartum. Rumen fluid and faecal and blood samples were collected on days 7, 21, 35, and 49 after kidding, milk yield was determined biweekly. During the last week of the experiment, daily fresh faecal grab samples were obtained from each animal. Feed and faeces Acid Insoluble Ash (AIA) contents were used as an internal marker to estimate the apparent digestibility coefficients. Administration of SYPE enhanced (P≤ 0.001) total Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) production especially propionic acid compared to the control. Ammonia N concentration was lower (P≤ 0.036) for SYPE than for the control. Higher milk yield (P≤ 0.001) and protein and lactose percentages were found (P≤ 0.05) in SYPE than in the control group. Digestibility of organic matter, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and hemicelluloses were higher (P< 0.05) in SYPE than that in the control. Increased serum globulin (P≤ 0.05), glucose (P≤ 0.001) and total cholesterol (P≤ 0.05) by SYPE were found. Selenium yeast plus vitamin E decreased (P≤ 0.05) the faecal egg count compared to the control. Administration of SYPE supported positively the rumen fermentation as was evidenced from the increased milk production, improved nutrients digestibility and the apparent health statues achieved for lactating goats.