Zhang T, Liu K, Zhong W, Li G, Liu H. Effects of dietary vitamin E supplementation on the reproductive performance of yearling female mink (Neovison vison) fed wet fish-based feed.
Anim Reprod Sci 2019;
213:106270. [PMID:
31987323 DOI:
10.1016/j.anireprosci.2019.106270]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary vitamin E (VE) supplementation on the reproductive performance of female mink, preweaning growth performance of their kits, and antioxidative status and immune functions of dams and kits. Yearling mink dams (n = 180) were randomly assigned to five treatment groups (n = 36). The dietary treatments included a basal diet supplemented with VE at 0 (control), 80, 160, 320, or 640 mg/kg DM. Compared with the control, the addition of 160-320 mg/kg VE decreased (P = 0.0362) the percentage of pre-weaning mortality of mink kits. At weaning, the average body weight was greater (P = 0.0408) in kits fed 320 mg/kg supplemental VE. In mink dams, the addition of 80-320 mg/kg VE increased (P = 0.0125) serum SOD. Supplementation of 320 or 640 mg/kg VE decreased (P = 0.0260) serum reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, feeding a large dose of VE (640 mg/kg diet) resulted in increased (P = 0.0245) serum α-tocopherol. In mink kits, the addition of 320 or 640 mg/kg VE increased serum α-tocopherol (P = 0.0207) and IgG (P = 0.0464). Supplementation of 640 mg/kg VE decreased (P = 0.0471) serum ROS. The present results indicate that VE supplementation improved the antioxidative status of mink dams and enhanced the immune functions, decreased pre-weaning mortality and enhanced weaning weight of their kits. Taken together, the effective VE supplementation was 320 mg/kg of diet for yearling female mink.
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