ABSTRACT

Growth and onset of estrus at different supplemental levels of vitamin E (0, 7.5, 15, and 30IU) was studied over a period of 60 days. The experiment was a completely randomized design (CRD). A total of 16 growing gilts with 4 gilts in a treatment and I gilt serving as a replicate were used. Growth parameters such as body weight, body length, ear length, length of the hind limb and fore limb, head to shoulder and abdominal length were considered. Data were also taken on reproductive signs such as signs of heat and temperatures. There was no effect (P> 0.05) of vitamin E levels on the various growth parameters. Result showed that the mean body weight was highest in T3 (33.50kg) and lowest in T2 (27.00kg). There was no significant difference (P>0.05) among the groups. In body length, T2 and T3 had the same value (107.33) meaning there was no significant difference (P>0.05) between the two levels. Compared ton and Tl (113.50 and 110.25cm) there was a significant difference (P<0.05) among the groups. The mean head measurement was highest in T3 (24.00cm) and lowest in T4 (23.33cm). Length of Hind limb and fore limb were highest at TI (54.75cm) and TI (49.25) and lowest in T3 (50.25cm) and T4 (45.33cm) respectively with no significant difference among the treatments. Abdominal length and ear length revealed no significant difference (P>0.05) and had the highest values at Tl (75.45cm) and T2 (19.00cm) and the lowest values at T2 (74.67cm) and T4 (18.00cm) respectively. The supplementation influenced attainment of estrus. Gilts administered 151U and 30lU expressed obvious signs of estrus earliest (172.5 and 183.3 days) respectively when compared with 185.5 and 188.5 days observed in the other treatments