Effects of vitamin E and selenium complex on heat-stressed rabbits

الملخص EN

The current study aimed to clarify the detailed gross features of the nasal cavity in hooded crow by using ten adult crows.

The The effects of vitamin E and selenium were evaluated on 27 heat-stressed New Zealand white rabbits.

After induction of heat stress, rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups (9 rabbits of each).

The first group (control group) did not receive any supplementation of vitamin E or selenium.

The second group was injected subcutaneously with 0.2 ml (5.05 mg) vitamin E and selenium per animal weekly.

The third group was injected subcutaneously with 0.4 ml (10.10 mg) vitamin E and selenium per animal weekly.

Heat stress was induced through exposure of all groups to a temperature of 35 °C daily for 6 hours and continued for 35 days.

Rectal and skin temperatures were recorded 1 hour before and at the end of heat stress.

Blood samples were collected from the ear vein into heparinized vacutainer tubes and plasma was separated for estimation of glucose, urea, cholesterol, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, albumin and globulin.

The rectal and skin temperatures increased significantly (P < 0.05) after induction of heat stress.

The results showed that supplementation of vitamin E and selenium complex decreased both rectal and skin temperatures in heat-stressed rabbits.

Plasma glucose and cholesterol were significantly higher in all treated groups compared to control group.

Regarding the effect of vitamin E and selenium dose, there was no significant difference between the two treated groups.

From these results we can conclude that vitamin E and selenium complex could be used to alleviate the adverse effects of heat stress in rabbits.