Effect of Spirulina (Spirulina platensis) Supplementation on Antioxidant Status and Immunity in Growing Barbari Goats

Abstract

Effect of supplementation of spirulina on antioxidant status and immunity was studied in growing Barbari goats. Eighteen male Barbari goats were divided into three groups, control (Group 1) and treatment groups (Group 2 and Group 3), consisting of six animals in each group as per completely randomized design. All the animals were fed with complete pellet feed having Bengal gram straw and concentrate mixture in 60:40 ratio. In Group 1 no Spirulina was supplemented while in Group 2 spirulina was supplemented @ 0.25% of DMI and in Group 3, spirulina was supplemented @ 0.50% of DMI. The duration of experimental feeding was 90 days. There was significant (P<0.05) increase in catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the spirulina supplemented group (Group 2 and Group 3) as compared to control group (Group 1) after 90 days of spirulina supplementation. There was improvement in the total immunoglobulin concentration and cell mediated immune response against PHA-p in spirulina supplemented group of goats. From present study it can be concluded that supplementation of Spirulina @ 0.25 and 0.50 of DMI   improved the antioxidant and immune status in growing Barbari goats.