Combination of vitamin A, E, C and volatile oils improves somatic cell counts status and antioxidant parameters in dairy cows

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation with a combination of vitamins A, E, and C and volatile oils (Superimmune®) on milk production, somatic cell count (SCC), and antioxidant parameters in dairy cows. For this purpose, 30 lactating Holstein cows were used at an early stage of lactation. The cows were randomly allocated to five groups (six each). The first group was supplemented daily with 20 ml of Superimmune® (200,000 IU vit. A, 100mg vit E and 20mg vit. C, Eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, and peppermint oil). The second group was supplemented with 200,000 IU vit. A: third group with 100 mg vit. E), and the fourth group (20 mg vit. C. The fifth group was maintained without treatment (control). Milk production, somatic cell counts, and antioxidant parameters were measured before treatment and at one- and two-months post-treatment. Cows that received Superimmune® showed a significant decrease in somatic cell count compared with the other groups at one-month post-treatment (p<0.05) and onward. There was also a significant increase in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (p<0.01), glutathione reductase (GR) (p<0.05), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) (p<0.01) in cows that received a combination compared to the other groups). However, there was a significant decrease in the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (p<0.01). Milk production showed a non-significant increase in cows receiving a combination of vitamins compared to the other groups. The results of the present study indicate that a combination of vitamins and volatile oils may have a better effect on somatic cell counts and milk antioxidant parameters in dairy cows than supplementation with a single vitamin.