Micronutrients, particularly vitamins, are essential for preserving physiological equilibrium, bolstering immune responses and promoting growth and development in different organisms. Among these vitamins, A and E, which are both fat-soluble, have been thoroughly examined for their important functions in metabolism, cellular health and antioxidant protection. Recent studies have underscored the potential advantages of vitamin A and E supplementation in enhancing growth efficiency and reinforcing the antioxidant defense system, especially in challenging conditions of oxidative stress or high metabolic demand [1]. Vitamin A is essential for numerous biological functions. It is important for eyesight, cell differentiation, skeleton development and maintaining the health of epithelial tissues [2]. Moreover, it has been shown to impact immune responses by influencing T-cell growth and cytokine production [3]. Its role in regulating gene expression is especially crucial during times of rapid tissue growth and development, highlighting its significance as a vital nutrient in the diets of young animals [4]. By neutralizing Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and preventing lipid peroxidation, vitamin E functions primarily as a lipid-soluble antioxidant that protects cell membranes from oxidative damage [5]. Its advantages have been linked to greater feed efficiency, increased weight gain and enhanced immunological function in livestock, notably in poultry and swine. [6]. Many experimental investigations have explored the separate and joint impacts of these two vitamins. For example, [7] discovered that providing supplements of vitamins A and E led to notable improvements in growth performance and antioxidant enzyme activity in broilers, resulting in decreased Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels while boosting the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD). In a similar vein [8] observed that the co-supplementation of vitamins A and E improved weight gain and increased antioxidative capacity in weaned pigs, indicating a synergistic effect between these two vitamins in enhancing physiological resilience. This synergy most probably results from their complementary biological activities. While vitamin A encourages cell proliferation, immunological modulation and mucosal barrier function, vitamin E shields growing tissues from oxidative damage. Particularly in environments vulnerable to oxidative stress-that is, high-density production systems, heat stress, or disease exposure-they work together to provide a more thorough approach for improving animal health and performance [9]. Given the financial and health importance of maximizing growth and oxidative balance, especially in animal production systems, knowing the impacts of vitamin A and E supplementation is vital. Along with increasing productivity, these vitamins match the rising demand for wholesome and sustainable food choices. Considering this, the objectives of this study are to evaluate how including vitamins A and E to the diet influences growth rate and antioxidant capacity as well as to investigate the underlying biological processes, the possibility of synergistic effects and prospective applications in the management of livestock and animal nutrition. Although vitamin A improves immune modulation, cellular growth and mucosal barrier performance, vitamin E shields those growing tissues against oxidative damage. Particularly in conditions vulnerable to oxidative stress like high-density production systems, heat stress, or illness exposure, together they offer a more thorough approach to sustaining animal health and performance [10] Given the economic and health importance of optimizing growth and oxidative balance, particularly in animal production systems, understanding the effects of vitamins A and E supplementation becomes very pertinent. These vitamins help with increased productivity and also fit the growing need for organic and sustainable dietary solutions. The goal of this work is thus to assess the impacts of nutritional supplementation with vitamins A and E on growth performance and antioxidant state and to investigate the underlying biological mechanisms, probable synergic effects and practical uses in livestock and animal nutrition management.

Three even groups (n = 10) were chosen at random from thirty buffalo (around two weeks old, 40 to 50 kg):

• Group 1: (200,000 IU) intramuscular vitamin A.

Vitamin E subcutaneously, 

• Group 2, (3.55 IU/kg body weight)

• Group 3 (Control): 0.9% sterile saline

Treatments were given twice, 72 hours apart.
 

Body weights were measured weekly over six weeks.

Blood Sampling and Antioxidant Parameters

Three time points-pre-treatment (T0), 3 weeks (T3) and 6 weeks post-treatment (T6)- were used to gather 10 mL blood samples. Plain tubes were used to gather samples that were left to clot. For biochemical analysis, serum was collected, aliquoted and stored. Spectrophotometry with commercial kits measured the following markers:

• TAC, or total antioxidant capacity

• Malondialdehyde (MDA)

• GR: glutathione reductase

• GST-glutathione-S-transferase

Normality of data was checked and analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA followed Tukey's HSD test. p <0.05 was given importance.

Body Weight Gain

Table 1 shows that both treatment groups showed far greater weight gain than the control. Vitamin E had the most prominent impact (p<0.01), then Vitamin A (p<0.05).

• Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC)

• Glutathione Reductase (GR)

• Glutathione-S-Transferase (GST)

• Malondialdehyde (MDA)

Over a six-week period, parenteral administration of vitamins A and E significantly improved growth performance and antioxidant status in neonatal buffalo calves. Comparative analysis between the treated and control groups indicated that both vitamins positively influenced body weight gain and antioxidant enzyme activity, with vitamin E showing stronger effects across all measured parameters.

Development Performance
buffalo treated with either vitamin A or E showed a notable increase in body weight compared with the control group, with vitamin E causing the largest weight gain by the end of the 6-week period (58.2±3.2 kg) (Table 1). This result fits prior studies that showed increased growth performance in buffalo following vitamin E supplementation [11]. Vitamin E promotes cell metabolism by stabilizing cell membranes, preserving mitochondrial function and fostering nutrient absorption and energy generation [12] Though to a lesser degree than vitamin E, vitamin A also aided development improvement. This matches with its part in cell differentiation, skeletal development and preservation of epithelial integrity [13] Early in life, when tissue growth and immune system development are quickly happening, vitamin A is very important as antioxidant. 

Antioxidant Enzyme Activity

Significant increases were seen in overall Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), Glutathione Reductase (GR) and Glutathione-S-Transferase (GST) in both treatment groups by day 42; the highest levels reported in the vitamin E group (Tables 2–4). These results point to more activation of the natural antioxidant defense systems.

Central role of vitamin E, a lipid-soluble antioxidant, is to neutralize Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and stop lipid peroxidation chain reactions [14] It also keeps the function of other antioxidants, like vitamin A and glutathione [15]. Increased GR and GST activity seen in this experiment reinforces vitamin E's capacity to boost the glutathione pathway, which is vital for maintaining redox balance and detoxifying dangerous metabolites [16].

Table 1: Weekly Body Weight in Kilograms

Table 2: TAC (mmol/L)

Table 3: GR (U/L)

Table 4: GST (U/L)

Table 5: MDA (nmol/mL)

*Significantly different from control (p<0.05)

Though not a direct antioxidant, vitamin A helps to sustain cellular integrity and modify immune responses, hence supporting antioxidant activity indirectly. Its regulatory impact on gene expression also helps to increase protective enzyme synthesis under oxidative stress conditions [17].

Decline of Lipid Peroxidation

Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, a frequently used marker for lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress, were markedly lower in both vitamin-supplemented groups than in controls; the lowest levels found in the vitamin E group (2.00±0.17 nmol/mL) (Table 5). This decrease suggests less oxidative damage to cell membranes, therefore improving cell viability and physiological performance.

The results observed confirm earlier work by [who showed that animals under stress had considerably reduced MDA levels from both vitamins A and E. Vitamin E's localization in lipid-rich membranes makes it especially efficient at protecting polyunsaturated fatty acids from peroxidation.

Comparative and Synergistic Effects

Under the experimental conditions, the comparative analysis strongly suggests that vitamin E had superior biological effects than vitamin A. This is consistent with other research indicating that vitamin E acts as a frontline antioxidant, especially in the neonatal phase where oxidative challenges are more pronounced. The combined use of vitamins A and E in other animals, however, has synergistic advantages whereby vitamin E shields vitamin A from oxidative breakdown and improves its effectiveness [17] Future studies could concentrate on the possible synergistic effect of co-supplementation, especially in newborn ruminants where nutritional needs and oxidative stress are great, even if the present study examined the effects of these vitamins separately.

Practical Significance

From a practical viewpoint, the findings stress the need of antioxidant vitamin supplementation in early-life buffalo calf management. The remarkable improvement in both growth and oxidative markers implies that early-life mortality may be decreased, metabolic efficiency enhanced and long-term performance improved by such supplementation. These results support present efforts in animal production targeted at improving animal welfare and lowering dependency on pharmaceutical growth promoters via nutritional optimization.

In neonatal buffalo calves, parenteral administration of vitamins A and E substantially increased both growth performance and antioxidant state. Higher levels of antioxidant enzymes (TAC, GR, GST) and less oxidative stress as shown by decreased MDA levels are among the most obvious advantages buffalo receiving vitamin E. Weight gain is another benefit. These findings support the inclusion of antioxidant vitamin supplementation-especially vitamin E-as a calculated technique to improve early-life growth, oxidative balance and general buffalo health.

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