Lactating animals are exposed to oxidative stress (OS) which influences milk composition. Administration of vitamin E could mitigate the effects of the OS and improve milk production. This study was conducted to determine the effects of vitamin E administration on some milk constituents and serum oxidative status of lactating West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Eighteen WAD does with mean live-weight of 17.5kg ±0.04 were assigned randomly to three treatments of six does each. The animals were administered with 0,75 and 150I.U of vitamin E once in a week for twelve weeks. Milk protein (MP) and milk fat (MF) were determined for milk constituents while serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) level were determined for serum oxidative status. Data collected were subjected to ANOVA in a factorial arrangement of 3×2×4×3 using SAS. Results showed that MP and MF were not significantly (p>0.05) influenced by vitamin E administration. SOD, GSH-Px and MDA were significantly (p<0.05) influenced by vitamin E administration. The study concluded that 150 I.U of vitamin E had influence on serum oxidative parameters but not on MP and MF.

Keywords: Vitamin E, Milk Protein, Milk Fat, Serum Superoxide Dismutase, Glutathione Peroxidase and Malondialdehyde.