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Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

Volume: 57 Issue: 1

  • Open Access
  • Research Article

A study on comparative evaluation of supplementing Asparagus racemosus root powder with vitamin E and selenium on growth performance and oxidative stress biomarkers in early weaned Malabari goat kids

M. Venkata Ramana¹, C. Balusami¹, N. Geetha2, S. Biju3, K. George Sherin4 and K.A. Bindu5

¹Department of Livestock Production Management, 5Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2Department of Livestock Production Management, 3Instructional Livestock Farm Complex, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, 4Centre for Pig Production and Research, Mannuthy,
Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Pookode, Wayanad, Kerala, India

Year: 2026, Page: 92-97, Doi: https://doi.org/10.51966/jvas.2026.57.1.92-97

Received: Sept. 12, 2025 Accepted: Nov. 5, 2025 Published: March 31, 2026

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to evaluate and compare the effect of Asparagus racemosus root powder and Vitamin E–Selenium supplementation on growth performance and oxidative stress biomarkers in early weaned Malabari goat kids. Twenty-four kids (45 days old) were randomly allotted into four groups (T1–T4) and reared upto 90 days. T1 served as control (basal ration), T2 received 50 mg Vitamin E + 0.3 mg selenium/kg ration, while T3 and T4 were supplemented with Asparagus racemosus root powder at 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg body weight, respectively. Final body weight (kg) was significantly (P<0.05) higher in T2 (11.96) and T4 (11.78) compared to T3 (10.77) and T1 (9.95). Significantly higher (P<0.05) average daily gain (ADG) values were recorded in T2 (91.10 g/day) and T4 (89.30 g/day) versus T1 (72.08 g/ day). Antioxidant indices revealed significantly increased (P<0.05) catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in T2 (717.33 μmole H2O2 utilized/min, 113.46 U/ml, 2.19 nmol/ml) and T4 groups (714.83 μmole H2O2 utilized/min, 114.77 U/ml, 2.31 nmol/ml) when compared to T1 control group (553.33 μmole H2O2 utilized/min, 99.67 U/ml, 3.30 nmol/ml). The results indicate that Asparagus racemosus at 100 mg/kg BW was comparable with Vitamin E–Selenium supplementation on enhancing growth performance and antioxidant status in Malabari kids under early weaning stress.

Keywords: Asparagus racemosus, Vitamin E, Selenium, antioxidants, Malabari kids

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Cite this article

Venkata Ramana, M., Balusami, C., Geetha, N., Biju, S., George Sherin, K. & Bindu, K.A. (2025). Comparative evaluation of supplementing Asparagus racemosus root powder with vitamin E and selenium on growth performance and oxidative stress biomarkers in early weaned Malabari goat kids. Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences 57 (1), 92-97 https://doi.org/10.51966/jvas.2026.57.1.92-97

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