Indian Journal of Animal Research

  • Chief EditorK.M.L. Pathak

  • Print ISSN 0367-6722

  • Online ISSN 0976-0555

  • NAAS Rating 6.40

  • SJR 0.263

  • Impact Factor 0.4 (2024)

Frequency :
Monthly (January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December)
Indexing Services :
Science Citation Index Expanded, BIOSIS Preview, ISI Citation Index, Biological Abstracts, Scopus, AGRICOLA, Google Scholar, CrossRef, CAB Abstracting Journals, Chemical Abstracts, Indian Science Abstracts, EBSCO Indexing Services, Index Copernicus
Submit

Full Research Article

Effects of Dietary Silymarin and Selenium-yeast on Energy Metabolism, Growth, Hematological Indices and Immune Status of Barbari Goat during Cold Stress

Pankaj Kumar Maurya1, Rakesh Kumar Singh1,*, Gulab Chandra1, Ramakant2, Sachin Gautam3, Mahendra Kumar Singh1, Pramod Kumar4
1Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut-250 110, Uttar Pradesh, India.
2Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut-250 110, Uttar Pradesh, India.
3Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut-250 110, Uttar Pradesh, India.
4Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandary, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology Kumarganj, Ayodhya-224 229, Uttar Pradesh, India.

ABSTRACT

Background: The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of silymarin (SM) and selenium-yeast (SY) on energy metabolism, growth, hematological indices and immune status of Barbari goat during cold stress.

Methods: Thirty two Barbari goats (age: 6-8 months) were selected from ILFC- II, SVPUAT, Meerut (Uttar Pradesh) India. Experimental animals were randomly divided into four groups (n=8) according to body weight and age. First group (CON/C) was kept as control group giving only basal diet, second group (T1 /SM600) supplemented with 600 mg Silymarin/kg DM, third group (T2 /SeY) supplemented with 0.3 mg Selenium as Se-Yeast/kg DM and fourth group (T3 /SM600+SeY) supplemented with 600 mg Silymarin + 0.3 mg Selenium as Se-Yeast/kg DM along with basal diet for 90 days of the experimental periods.

Result: Mean body weight gain (BWG) and dry matter intake (DMI) of the supplemented group was found significantly (P<0.01) more than control group where as feed conversion ratio (FCR) was lower (P<0.01) in the supplemented group. Plasma glucose concentration was found significantly (P<0.01) lower where as plasma concentration of NEFA had no effect in the supplemented group as compare to control group. Haemoglobin and total immunoglobulin level was found significantly (P<0.01) higher in supplemented group as compare to control. The results of this study indicated that supplementation of SM and SY have important role in improving growth performance, feed intake and immune status of Barbari goat during cold stress.

INTRODUCTION

Goat plays an important role in the economy of the poor livestock owners in earning their livelihood and popularly known as “poor man’s cow”. Goat has a very valuable contribution for the small, marginal farmers and landless laborers especially in the developing countries. Extreme cold during winter season cause cold stress which has a negative impact on the growth, production and immune response of the animals. Some feed supplements from herbal source and also minerals are important in reducing the impact of cold stress in the goats.

Silymarin (SM) is a flavonoid obtained from a spiny herb, milk thistle (Silybum marianum) belongs to Asteraceae family. Milk thistle seeds contain approximately 60% SM. SM is composed of silybin A and B, isosilybin A and B, silychristin and silydianin (Anthony and Saleh 2012). SM has been used as medicinal purposed particularly in the liver and kidney dysfunctions. SM plays an important function in the cell membrane stabilization, scavenging free radicals, synthesizing functional proteins (Saeed et al., 2017) and in improving immune status (Bagno et al., 2021). SM also plays an important role in improving feed consumption, ADG and FCR in finishing pigs (Koo et al., 2022).

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace elementand an integral component of several antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase. Se functions as antioxidants, prevents oxidative damages (Saha et al., 2016) role in immune functions (Baum et al., 2001), reducing lipid peroxidation and decreasing toxicity of other elements. Organic form of Se in the feed could be transferred to the muscle and organs, and has better bioavailability than inorganic Se in fattening lambs (Antunovic et al., 2009). Selenium-yeast (SY) is the source of organic Se mainly selenomethionine which can be absorbed and retained more readily than inorganic Se (Sevcikova et al., 2011). SY supplementation induces ruminal epithelial growth, improves ruminal fermentation pattern, and increases GSH-Px activity in ruminal epithelium in goats (Shahid et al., 2020). Therefore the present study was conducted to assess the effects of SM and S Yon energy metabolism, growth, hematological indices and immune status of cold stressed Barbari goat.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The experiment was conducted at ILFC- II, SVPUAT, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India. In Meerut highest temperature rises up to 45oC in summer and there is remarkable fall of temperature sometimes up to freezing point in winter.

Ethical approval
The research protocol was duly permitted by Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC), constituted under control of the committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA), Government of India (Approval no. IAEC/SVPUAT/2022/102).

Experimental animals
       
For the present study 32 Barbari goats of 6-8 month age group has been selected and randomly divided into four groups (n=8) according to age and body weight. First group (CON) was kept as control group giving only basal diet, second group (SM600) supplemented with 600 mg SM/kg DM, third group (SeY) supplemented with 0.3 mg Se as SY/kg DM and fourth group (SM600+SeY) supplemented with 600 mg SM+0.3 mg Se as SY/kg DM along with basal diet for 90 days of experimental periods. SY (purity 80%) was purchased from Alenit Chemicals LLP, Delhi. SY (2000 ppm) was provided by Chaitanya Agro-Biotech. Pvt. Ltd., 120/2 Laxmi Nagar, Malkapur, Buldana (Maharashtra) India. The computed and weighed doses of SM, SY alone or both mixed in small amount of concentrate and fed individually to each animal for 90 days of study period. Clean and fresh tap water was offered ad-lib.
 
Ambient temperature and relative humidity for the entire study period have been recorded and calculated mean values which is given in Table 1.

Table 1: Fortnightly mean ambient temperature (AT), relative humidity (RH) and THI during experimental period.



Temperature-humidity index (THI) values were calculated as per the method described by LPHSI (1990). Accordingly the formula used was-

                THI = DB -([0.55 - 0.55 ´ RH][DB - 58])

Where,
DB= Dry bulb temperature, in Fahrenheit. 
RH= Relative humidity (%/100).

Growth parameters

Body weight (BW) and feed consumption was recorded before start of experiment and thereafter repeated at fortnightly intervals with digital electronic balance. Then body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) was calculated as:

               

Blood collection

About 5 ml blood was collected at 7.30 a.m. in the EDTA coated Vacutainer tube before feeding and watering aseptically from jugular vein with the help of sterilized needles at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 days of experimental feeding. The blood was used for the analysis of hemoglobin (Hb), packed cells volume (PCV), total leukocyte counts (TLC), neutrophils and lymphocytes. Blood plasma was further analyzed for glucose and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA).
 
Blood biochemical variables

Plasma glucose concentration was estimated by O-toludine method (Cooper and Mc Daniel 1970) using kits from ERBA diagnostics Mannheim, Germany. The NEFA was analyzed in plasma by modified copper soap extraction method (Shipe et al., 1980).
 
Statistical analysis

Data was analyzed using MIXED Models of statistical software package SPSS version 20 (SPSS for Windows, V 20.0., SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The model was used to estimate the effects of SM and SY on energy metabolism, growth, hematological indices and immune status of Barbari goat during cold stress as follows:

                          Yij = μ + Ti + Fj+ (T×F)ij+ eij

Where,
Yij = Dependent variable.
μ =   Overall mean of a population.
Ti =  Effect of the treatment (SM and SY) (i= 1….4).
Fj = Effect of days (j= 1….7).
(T×F) ij= Effect of the interaction between effect of treatments and days.
eij = Random error.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Meteorological variables

Fortnightly mean AT, RH and THI of 90 d of the study period during winter season are presented in the Table 1.

Table 1: Fortnightly mean ambient temperature (AT), relative humidity (RH) and THI during experimental period.



Growth performance

The result of growth performance; BW, BWG, DMI and FCR of Barbari goat during winter season are presented in the Fig 1.

Fig 1: Effect of SM and SY supplementation on BW (A), BWG (B), DMI (C) and FCR (D).



BWG and DMI (kg/d) were observed significantly higher (P<0.05) in the treatment groups fed SM, SY alone, or both in their diet compared to the non-supplemented group. Moreover, FCR was found significantly (P<0.05) lower in SM600, SeY and SM600+ SeY groups as compare to CON group. In agreement with our findings Belvins et al., (2010) reported that supplementation of SM @ 1000 mg/kg increased the BW and feed intake in broilers. Similar findings were also reported by Singh (2022) in Murrah buffalo calves supplemented with SM @ 600 mg/kg DM and Dubey (2022) in Sahiwal calves supplemented with SM @ 500 mg/kg DM. Abdalla et al. (2018) reported an increased BW of chickens supplemented with SM @ 25 g/kg of diet. Further, the supplementation of 100 and 200 g SM/kg feed increased BW and found higher BWG in fishes (Wang et al., 2019). In accordance with our findings, SM supplementation showed an improvement in BWG and FCR in finishing pigs (Koo et al., 2022). This growth-promoting effect of SM might be attributed to its hepatoprotective and immune-enhancing properties. Moreover, it is possible to improve digestibility by changing intestinal microflora.

From the present study SeY also has role in growth performance in goats as Se can improve the antioxidant defense system being critically important for the ruminant’s adaptation to nutritional stress (Surai et al., 2019) and increase microbial count and improved fermentation rate in goat-rumen (Abbasi et al., 2018). Further, dietary supplementation of SeY increases DMI and feed conversion in the animals as it improves fermentation pattern in rumen, induced ruminal epithelial growth and increased enzyme activities in ruminal epithelium of goats (Shahid et al., 2020).

Energy metabolism

The effects of SM and SY supplementation on energy metabolism of Barbari goat during 90 days experimental period are presented in the Table 2.

Table 2: Effect of SM and SY supplementation on plasma glucose and NEFA level of cold stressed Barbari goat.



The mean concentration of plasma glucose was found significantly (P<0.05) lower in SM600 and SM600+ SeY groups as compare to CON group. There was found relatively lower NEFA values in supplemented group but statistically non-significant (P<0.05) variation in the mean values of NEFA among the groups. Similar findings were also reported by Singh (2022) in buffalo calves and Dubey (2022) in Sahiwal calves supplemented with SM. As per the other reports, SM supplementation decreased serum glucose levels in diabetic rats and human (Soto et al., 2004) and in fishes supplemented with 400 mg SM/kg (Banaee et al., 2011). Silymarin can have the ability to increase insulin sensitivity and reduce elevated insulin levels and may protect the pancreas from toxic effects (Mendelson 2008). In present study SeY supplementation increases plasma glucose level but no significant difference between the groups whereas Shi et al. (2018) reported significant increase in the plasma glucose level in Taihang Black Goats supplemented with different level of Se-enriched yeast.

Immune status

The results of SM and SY supplementation on immune status of Barbari goat during 90 days experimental period are presented in the Fig 2.

Fig 2: Effect of SM and SY supplementation on Lymphocyte (A), Neutrophil (B) and TIG (C) in cold stressed Barbari goat.



In the present study blood concentrations of lymphocyte and TIG were observed significantly (P<0.05) higher in the treatment groups as compare to control group. Whereas, no significant (P<0.05) difference in the neutrophils (%) in supplemented groups as compare to control group. No effect of SM supplementation on neutrophils in fish was observed by Ahmadi et al. (2012) is consistent with the present findings. Samadi et al. (2017) reported that SM increased the concentrations of IgG and total antibodies in the blood of Japanese quails. Bagno et al. (2021) reported milk thistle feeding improves immune status in broilers. Long-term administration of SM could improve the immune response by increasing the production of T-lymphocytes (Das et al., 2008) and TIG (Ghanem et al., 2022) is accordant with the present findings.

From the present study SeY improves immune status in the experimental goats as Se plays an important role in the functioning of the immune system and prevents viral infections and increases immunity (Baum et al., 2001) also slows the ageing process and inhibits the development of cancer (Ip and Dong, 2001). Se is essential for the efficient and effective functioning of the immune system in both humans and animals (Arthur et al., 2003).

Hematological indices

The results of hematological indices are presented in the Fig 3.

Fig 3: Effect of SM and SY supplementation on Hb (A), PCV (B), TEC (C) and TLC (D) in cold stressed Barbari goat.



The mean values of Hb were found significantly (P<0.05) greater in SM600, SeY and SM600+SeY groups as compare to CON group. There was found no statistical (P<0.05) difference in the mean values of TEC and PCV among the groups. These values were found within the normal physiological range. The concentration of TLC increased in the supplemented group but observed no significant (P<0.05) difference among the groups.

SM might improve the function of hematopoietic organs and their production of blood cells. In conjunction with our findings some experiments in laboratory animals have shown the therapeutic effect of milk thistle in prevention of hemolysis of erythrocytes (Zou et al., 2001) and leucocytes (Locher et al., 1998). SM supplementation increases TEC, PCV, Hb and TLC in nickel hematotoxicity and nephrotoxicity male albino wistar rats (Bouhalit et al., 2017) and also found protective role of SM against ochratoxicosis in laying hen (Eid et al., 2021). In the present study there was no effect of SeY supplementation on Hb, PCV and TEC whereas TIG concentration and lymphocyte (%) increases. Similar findings were also reported by Shi et al. (2018) in Taihang Black Goats supplemented with different level of SY.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study indicated that supplementation of SM and SY have important role in improving growth performance, feed intake and immune status along with improved health status of the animals during cold stress.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors express their gratitude to Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, SVPUAT, Meerut for providing research facilities for this study and Chaitanya Agro-Biotech. Pvt. Ltd., Malkapur, Buldana for providing selenium yeast for the experiment.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest for this manuscript.

REFERENCES


  1. Abbasi, B., Malhi, M., Soomro, S.A., Rui, R., Kashif, J. (2018). Influence of dietary selenium yeast on fermentation pattern mucosalgrowth and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in colon of goat. Journal Dairy, Veterinary and Animal Research. 7(6): 253-259.

  2. Abdalla, A.A., Abou-Shehema, B.M., Rawia, S.H., Elden, M.R. (2018). Effect of silymarin supplementation on the performance of developed chickens under summer conditions 1-during growth period. Egyptian Poultry Science Journal. 38(1): 305-329.

  3. Ahmadi, K., Banaee, M., Vosoghei, A.R., Mirvaghefei, A.R., Ataeimehr, B. (2012). Evaluation of the immunomodulatory effects of silymarin extract (Silybum marianum) on some immune parameters of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Actinopterygii: Salmoniformes: Salmonidae). Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria. 42(2): 113-120.

  4. Anthony, K. and Saleh, M.A. (2012). Chemical profiling and antioxidant activity of commercial milk thistle food supplements. Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research. 4(10): 4440-4450.

  5. Antunovic, Z., Novoselec, J., Klapec, T., Cavar, S., Mioˇc, B., Šperanda, M. (2009). Influence of different selenium sources on performance, blood and meat selenium content of fattening lambs. Italian Journal of Animal Science. 8(3): 163-165.

  6. Arthur, J.R., McKenzie, R.C., Beckett, G.J. (2003). Selenium in the Immune System. The Journal of Nutrition. 133(5): 1457S-1459S.

  7. Bagno, O., Shevchenko, S., Shevchenko, A., Prokhorov, O.,Shentseva, A., Vavin, G., Ulrich, E. (2021). Physiological status of broiler chickens with diets supplemented with milk thistle extract. Veterinary World. 14: 1319-1323.

  8. Banaee, M., Sureda, A., Mirvaghefi, A.R., Rafei, G.R. (2011). Effects of long-term silymarin oral supplementation on the blood biochemical profile of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Fish Physiology and Biochemistry. 37: 885-896.

  9. Baum, M.K., Campa, A., Minguez Burbano, M.J., Burbano, X., Shor-Posner, G. (2001). Role of Selenium in VIH/AIDS. In:  Selenium in Molecular Biology and Role in Human Health. [Hatfield D.L.(Ed.)]. Kluwer Academic Publisher.

  10. Blevins, S., Siegel, P.B., Blodgett, D.J., Ehrich, M., Saunders, G.K., Lewis, R.M. (2010). Effects of silymarin on gossypol toxicosis in divergent lines of chickens. Poultry Science. 89: 1878-1886.

  11. Bouhalit, S., Kechrid, Z., Elfeki, A. (2017). Effect of Silymarinextracted from silybum marianum on nickel hematotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in male Albino wistar rats. International. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 9(8): 84-89.

  12. Cooper, G.R. and Mc Daniel, V. (1970). Assay Methods. In: Standard Methods for Clinical Chemistry. [Mc Donald R.P. (Ed.)], John Wiley and Sons, New York PP159-170.

  13. Das, S.K., Mukherjee, S., Vasudevan, D.M. (2008). Medicinal properties of milk thistle with special reference to silymarin: An overview. Natural Product Radiance. 7(2): 182-192.

  14. Dubey, K.K. (2022). Effect of Silymarin and nano-zinc on growth, antioxidants and immune status of Sahiwal calves. PhD Dissertation, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology Meerut India.

  15. Eid, Y.Z., Hassan, R.A., El-soud, S.A., Eldebani, N. (2021). The protective role of silymarin to ameliorate the adverse effects of ochratoxin-A in laying hens on productive performance, blood biochemistry, hematological and antioxidants Status. Brazilian Journal of Poultry Science. 24(2): 1-8.

  16. Ghanem, N., Mabrok, H.B., Shedeed, S.M., Abd El-Wahab, W.M., Shakweer, W.M., Mohamed, M.I., ElSabaawy, E.H. (2022). Physiological, molecular, and immune responses to milk thistle extract administration in goats during peripartum period. Egyptian Pharmaceutical Journal. 21: 376-384.

  17. Ip, C. and Dong, Y. (2001). Methylselenocysteine modulates cell proliferation and apoptosis biomarkers in premalignant lesions of the rat mammary gland. Anticancer Research. 21: 863-867.

  18. Koo, D.H., Zhang, Q., Sampath, V., Kim, I. (2022). Effect of micelle silymarin supplementation on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbiome, gas emissions, blood profile, meat quality, and antioxidant property in finishing pigs. Journal of Animal Science. 100: 150-151.

  19. Loucher, R., Suter, P.M., Weyhenmeyer, R., Vetter, W. (1998). Inhibitory action of silibinin on low density lipoprotein oxidation.  Arzneimittel Forschung. 48(3): 236-239.

  20. LPHSI - Livestock and Poultry Heat Stress Indices. (1990). Agriculture engineering technology guide. Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA.

  21. Mendelson, S.D. (2008). Nutritional Supplements and Metabolic Syndrome. In Metabolic Syndrome and Psychiatric Illness. Interactions, Pathophysiology, Assessment and Treatment, 1st ed.; Academic Press: Cambridge, MA, USA. pp 141-186.

  22. Saeed, M., Babazadeh, D., Arif, M., Arain, M.A., Bhutto, Z.A., Shar, A.H., Kakar, M.U., Manzoor, R., Chao, S. (2017). Silymarin:a potent hepatoprotective agent in the poultry industry. Worlds Poultry Science Journal. 73: 483-492.

  23. Saha, U., Fayiga, A., Hancock, D. and Sonon, L. (2016). Selenium in animal nutrition: Deficiencies in foils and forages, requirements, supplementation and toxicity. International Journal of Applied Agricultural Sciences. 2: 112-125.

  24. Samadi, F., Dastar, B., Hosein, Z., Kordiani, A. (2017). The effect of silymarin on the immune system and blood parameters of quail Japanese poisoned with carbon tetrachloride. Government- Ministry of Science, Research and Technology. Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources- Faculty of Animal Sciences.

  25. Sevcikova, L., Pechova, A., Pavlata, L., Antos, D., Mala, E., Palenik, T., Panev, A., Dvorak, R. (2011). The effect of various forms of selenium supplied to pregnant goats on the levels of selenium in the body of their kids at the time of weaning. Biological Trace Element Research. 143: 882-892.

  26. Shahid, A.B., Malhi, M., Soomro, S.A., Shah, M.G., Kalhoro, N.H., Kaka, A., Mal, R., Soomro, M.A., Samo, S.P., Sanjrani, M.N. (2020). Influence of dietary selenium yeast supplementation on fermentation pattern, papillae morphology and antioxidant Status in rumen of goat. Pakistan Journal of Zoology. 52(2): 565-571.

  27. Shi, L., Ren, Y., Zhang, C., Yue, W., Lei, F. (2018). Effects of organic selenium (Se-enriched yeast) supplementation in gestation diet on antioxidant status, hormone profile and haematobiochemical parameters in Taihang black goats. Animal Feed Science and Technology. 238: 57-65.

  28. Shipe, W.F., Senyk, G.F., Fountain, K.B. (1980). Modified copper soap solvent extraction method for measuring free fatty acids in milk. Journal of Dairy Science. 63: 193-198.

  29. Singh, D. (2022). Effect of Silymarin and nano-zinc oxide on growth, antioxidants and haemato-biochemical status of Murrah buffalo calves. Ph.D Dissertation, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, India.

  30. Soto, C., Mena, R., Luna, J., Cerbon, M., Larrieta, E., Vital, P., Lara, A. (2004). Silymarin induces recovery of pancreatic function after alloxan damage in rats. Life Science. 75: 2167-2180.

  31. Surai, P.F., Kochish, I.I., Fisinin, V.I., Juniper, D.T. (2019). Revisiting oxidative stress and the use of organic selenium in dairy Cow nutrition. Animals. 9(7): 462.

  32. Wang, J., Zhou, H., Wang, X., Mai, K., He, G. (2019). Effects of silymarin on growth performance, antioxidant capacity and immune response in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.).  Journal of the World Aquaculture Society. 50: 1168-1181.

  33. Zou, C.G., Agar, N.S., Jones, G.L. (2001). Oxidative insult to human red blood cells induced by free radical initiator AAPH and its inhibition by a commercial antioxidant mixture. Life Sciences. 69(1): 75-86.
Reviewed By

Download Article
In this Article
    Contact us
    Follow us

    Editorial Board

    View all (0)