Includes bibliographical references (leaves 202-21). / 2 v. (xxiv, 409 leaves) : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Experiments were designed for the early detection of vitamin B12 deficiency in sheep and cattle. Metabolic indicators were examined in animals where deficiency was induced with either nitrous oxide (N2O) or by feeding diets of low cobalt content. Results showed that vitamin B12 dependent enzymes in the liver of ruminants appeared to be affected only at a late stage of deficiency. However changes in concentrations of metabolites of these pathways occured earlier. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Animal Sciences, 1994

We have previously shown that diets enriched with (n-3) fatty acids reduced the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) skin reaction to keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) in geriatric-Beagles. Although the amount of ��-tocopheryl acetate in diets of the previous study exceeded requirements, plasma ��-tocopherol concentration was significantly lower in dogs fed the high (n-3) fatty acid diets. There are several reasons that could explain the decreased DTH response. Some of these include decreased cytokine production, specifically, interleukin (IL) IL-1��, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and IL-6 by mononuclear cells. Furthermore, the reduced DTH response could be attributed to increased levels of lipid peroxides or changes in plasma ��-tocopherol levels. In this study we examined the effects of feeding 32 healthy, female, geriatric-Beagles diets containing (n-6) to (n-3) fatty acid ratios of 37:1 and 1.7:1, while varying the content of ��-tocopheryl acetate, [high (447 ug/g), med (101 ug/g) and low (17 ug/g)] for 82 days on the DTH reaction. Consumption of the 1.7:1 fatty acid diets significantly increased the total content of (n-3) fatty acids in plasma compared to the 37:1 fatty acid diets (17.00 and 2.02 wt %, respectively). There was a significant interaction between the (n-6) and (n-3) fatty acid ratio and the concentration of ��-tocopheryl acetate in the diet on the plasma concentration of ��-tocoopherol. The concentration of ��-tocopheryl acetate in plasma of dogs fed the 1.7:1 fatty acid diets was 17.3, 25.4, and 35.4 ug/ml, respectively, for the low, med and high ��-tocopheryl acetate containing diets, and in dogs fed the 37:1 fatty acids diets was 20.8, 34.9, 52.4 ug/ml, respectively. Consumption of the 1.7:1 fatty acid diets with either low or high ��-tocopheryl acetate showed no differences in DTH response from each other or from dogs consuming the 37.1:1 fatty acid diets. When the dietary ��-tocopheryl acetate concentration was moderate, a significant suppression of the DTH response occurred at 48, 72, and 96 hr in dogs consuming the 1.7:1 fatty acid diet. These data suggest that an interaction exits between dietary (n-3) fatty acid content and ��-tocopheryl acetate on the immune response as measured by the DTH test. / Graduation date: 2000

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of arginine, vitamin E, and their combination on cardiopulmonary performance and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in broilers undergoing cold-induced ascites (pulmonary hypertension) after an acute challenge with epinephrine. One day-old male broilers ( n = 25/treatment) were supplemented with arginine (0.3% water supplementation), vitamin E (400 IU/L or kg, water or feed supplementation; experiment 1 and 2 respectively) or both compounds, above NRC (1994) recommendations. From day 28 to 42, a catheterization was performed (n = 8/treatment) to evaluate pulmonary and mean arterial pressures, and heart rate. After recording baseline values, two injections of epinephrine (1 or 0.5 mg/kg body weight, experiment 1 and 2, respectively) were administered in a 20 min interval. The NOS activity was estimated through the conversion of 14C-arginine to 14C-citrulline in isolated pulmonary arteries ( n = 8/treatment). Overall, the time taken for pulmonary arterial pressure to return to values no different from initial baseline levels was longer for the birds consuming high levels of vitamin E (alone or in combination with arginine) compared to birds supplemented only with arginine. Although NOS activity was highly variable, birds fed with high arginine levels tended to have the lowest NOS activity. These results showed that vitamin E supplementation at the levels used in these experiments has detrimental effects on cardiopulmonary performance, and does not improve NOS activity in isolated pulmonary arteries.

Experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of dietary fat, vitamin E(Vit. E) and selenium(Se) supplementation on the performance, fatty acid(FA) composition, lipid oxidation on blood and the oxidative stability of muscle tissues (breast and thigh) during refrigerated storage of broiler chickens fed high levels of flaxseed(FXS). Four hundred and eighty d-old broiler chicks were fed experimental diets for a 3 wk period, which consisted of the combination of two dietary fat sources: fullfat soybean(FFSB) and FXS; 3 Vit. E levels: 10, 40 and 80 IU/kg and two Se levels: 0.15 and 0.30ppm (Exp. I). Four hundred and forty d-old chicks were fed on FFSB diets supplemented with 10, 80, and 160 IU of Vit. E/kg, FXS diets supplemented with 10, 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 IU of Vit. E/kg, corn-soybean based diet (control), and on a commercial diet for 21 days (Exp. II). For Exp. III, 1680 (840 of each sex) d-old broiler chicks were raised up to 41d. Three basal diets containing 10% FXS and 3 levels of Vit. E: 60-, 90- and 160 IU/kg were formulated for 3 age periods: starter (0--3wk), grower (3--5 wk) and finisher (5--6wk). Three groups of birds were fed these basal diets, while 3 other groups were fed the diet containing 160 IU of Vit. E either during the starter, grower or finisher phase (diets supplemented with 60 IU/kg were given in the two remaining phases). (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Various aspects of the ascorbic acid (vitamin C) nutrition of Oreochromis niloticus and O. mossambicus are considered in this treatise. The activity of L-gulono-Y-lactone oxidase was assessed in liver and kidney of 14 teleosts of 3 genera, histochemically (qualitatively) and biochemically (quantitatively). Activity of this enzyme was only detected in liver and kidney of common carp, Cyprinus carpio, and kidney of O. spilurus and O. aureus. No activity was detected in the species considered herein. The quantitative dietary ascorbic acid requirements of juvenile O. niloticus and O. mossambicus were determined by feeding diets containing graded levels of the vitamin (O~400mg/lOOg) and were based on growth response, food utilization, gross body composition data, tissue and biochemical changes and ability to prevent signs of ascorbic acid deficiency. The recommended level of supplementation of dietary ascorbic acid is l2Smg/lOOg and the net requirement 42mg/lOOg diet. Long-term ascorbic acid deprivation in £. niloticus and O. mossambicus resulted in poor performance in terms of growth, food utilization and survival. Other parameters evaluated included hepatosomatic index, liver and muscle glycogen content, blood parameters, tissue ascorbate concentrations, collagen contents, hydroxyproline and proline contents, and serum transaminase and cholesterol levels. Signs of ascorbic acid deficiency were severe and included haemorrhage~ opercular deformity, tail erosion, exophthalmia, cataract and spinal deformity (lordosis and scoliosis). Histologically scorbutic fish showed evidence of generalized bone changes associated with excessive production of chondrocytes and failur~ of ossification of growing bone areas. Eye lesions were associated with scleral collapse and also observed was hyperplasia of gill secondary lamellae epithelial cells and pronounced steatitis. Tissue ascorbate concentrations were correlated with dietary ascorbic acid levels and both species exhibited highest concentrations in the ovary, brain and testis, followed by heart, liver, gut, gills, eyes and the lowest levels in muscle and gall-bladder. The physiological role for ascorbic acid in each tissue is discussed. Eight week growth studies were conducted to evaluate the utilization of L-ascorbic acid (AA), the sodium salt of L-ascorbic acid (NaAA), glyceride coated L-ascorbic acid (GCAA), the barium salt of L-ascorbic acid 2-sulphate (AA2S) and ascorbyl palmitate CAP) in diets for O. niloticus and O. mossambicus, All five forms were added to the basal diet, containing no ascorbic acid CAAF), on an equimolar basis to supply 12Smg ascorbic acid/IOOg diet. All forms performed well in terms of growth, food utilization, and prevented signs of deficiency, Retention of ascorbic acid in diets after processing was increased by increasing dietary ascorbic acid level. AA2S and GCAA were more stable than AA and NaAA during processing and storage. The stability of AA, NaAA, GCAA and AA2S under different storage conditions was in descending order as follows: Freezer (_20°C), Fridge (S-BoC), room temperature in black bags (22-24°C) and room temperature in clear bags (22-24°C). Leaching of dietary ascorbic acid increased with increasing immersion time and water temperature. Stability and price of each form evaluated suggested that GCAA is to be preferred for use in fish feeds. The antioxidant effects of ascorbic acid were investigated. The results showed that ascorbic acid was not as effective as butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT) in preventing in vitro oxidation. An experiment was conducted to compare the performance of a commercial trout diet with the same diet supplemented to a level of l2Smg ascorbic acid/lOOg diet (Diet 2) when fed to O. niloticus. Fish fed the supplemented diet performed significantly better in terms of growth and food utilization concomittant with significantly increased tissue ascorbate concentrations. Sex differences in relation to dietary ascorbic acid nutrition were investigated. Females of both species exhibited significantly higher gonado~ and hepatosomatic indices than males. Females in both species eXhibited higher total ascorbate concentrations in gonad, gills, spleen, brain and blood than males whereas the reverse was true for the eyes. Dehydroascorbic acid (DHAA) levels were very low in tissues of both species. Ascorbic acid depleted O. niloticus fingerlings were fed on each of three diets providing nil, adequate Cl2Smg ascorbic acid/lOOg diet), and luxus (400mg/lOOg diet) of the vitamin after small surgical incisions had been made in dorsolateral musclature. Fish from each group were sampled regularly over 16 days and histological evaluation of the lesion area carried out as well as measurement of the tissue ascorbate levels. Epithelial elements of the healing process developed irrespective of the vitamin level but although fibroblast activity was marked in all three groups, collagenisation was very much slower in the deficient group, and in these the lesion was not mature, even at the termination of the experiment. The role of ascorbic acid in reproduction of tilapias was investigated in three experiments. The first showed that ascorbic acid supplementation of broodstock feed improved both hatchability and fry condition. In the second experiment fry produced from fish fed an unsupplemented diet and subsequently fed the same diet performed poorly in respect of growth and food utilization. Fry produced from broodstock fed the supplemented diet and subsequently fed the unsupplemented diet performed better than the previous group. This indicates transfer of ascorbic acid from the ovary to the eggs thence to the fry providing some protection against ascorbic acid deficiency during the early stages of life.

[Truncated abstract] Current understanding of atherosclerosis suggests that it is a chronic inflammatory disease, and that increased oxidative stress may be an important pathological event contributing to the disease process. There has been interest in the ability of dietary derived nutrients such as vitamin E, to act as antioxidants and protect against atherosclerosis. Despite promising epidemiological data which suggested benefits from a higher intake of &alpha-tocopherol (&alphaT), one of the major forms of dietary vitamin E, for protection against atherosclerosis, large scale, randomised controlled trials have generally shown no protective effect of high dose &alphaT supplementation. Recent studies suggest that the other major dietary tocopherol isomer, &gamma-tocopherol (&gammaT), may possess biological activities not shared by &alphaT. Supplementation with &gammaT, or mixtures of tocopherols rich in &gammaT, have shown biological activities that may help protect against atherosclerosis. The aim of this PhD project is to further characterise the biological relevance of ?T for protection against CVD... Both ?- and mixed tocopherol supplementation resulted in reduced plasma F2-isoprostanes (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively) but did not affect 24 hour urinary F2-isoprostanes and erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities. Neither &alphaT nor mixed tocopherol supplementation affected any measured plasma markers of inflammation. The tocopherol supplementation also did not affect COX-2 activity as assessed by 14 stimulated whole blood prostaglandin E2 synthesis, and urinary prostacyclin metabolite output. Compared to the placebo group, stimulated neutrophil leukotriene B4 (LTB4) production decreased significantly in the mixed tocopherol group (P=0.02) but not in the &alphaT group (P=0.15). The ability of both pure &alphaT and mixed tocopherol supplementation to reduce systemic lipid peroxidation in patients with type 2 diabetes, suggests potential benefits of vitamin E supplementation in this population. However, despite decreasing oxidative stress, our results also suggests that in populations with well controlled type 2 diabetes, supplementation with either &alphaT, or mixed tocopherol rich in &gammaT, is unlikely to confer further benefits in reducing systemic inflammation. Future research into the possible unique biological activity of different tocopherol isomers other than &alphaT, for example, their ability to affect the 5-LO pathway and production of inflammatory mediators such as LTB4, is warranted.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:33:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2012-12-20Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:07:35Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 barbosa_ts_dr_botfmvz_parcial.pdf: 95823 bytes, checksum: ef7162408ca85bbdd516092a3a3c92ed (MD5) Bitstreams deleted on 2015-06-25T13:00:44Z: barbosa_ts_dr_botfmvz_parcial.pdf,. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2015-06-25T13:03:11Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000712050_20160130.pdf: 81195 bytes, checksum: 36de1270b17805b18fe7d8e57bcda7c9 (MD5) Bitstreams deleted on 2016-02-01T10:15:50Z: 000712050_20160130.pdf,. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2016-02-01T10:16:42Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000712050.pdf: 327982 bytes, checksum: e05194df589c13e97fbd00ad050417b0 (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / O presente estudo pretendeu avaliar o efeito do exercício e da suplementação com vitamina E sobre estresse oxidativo. Determinaram-se o nível de lipoperoxidação, por meio da mensuração do malondialdeído (MDA) e da capacidade antioxidante total antes e após a suplementação com vitamina E e o nível de lesão de DNA dos leucócitos periféricos ocasionado pelo exercício de rápida aceleração e curta duração (TRA). Também verificou-se a influência do exercício de baixa intensidade e longa duração (TLD) e a da suplementação com vitamina E na atividade da enzima paraoxanase1 (PON1). Para tanto, foram utilizados 10 equinos sem treinamento prévio, sendo cinco Árabes e cinco Crioulos que realizaram primeiro o TRA1 e sete dias depois, o TLD1. Em seguida, durante 52 dias os equinos receberam vitamina E (dl-alfa-tocoferol) na dose de 1.000 UI/dia, por via oral e, posteriormente, realizaram o TRA2 e o TLD2 com sete dias de intervalo. O protocolo utilizado em TRA não foi intenso o suficiente e/ou o bom condicionamento dos animais favoreceram a ausência de lesão de DNA dos leucócitos e a proteção contra o estresse oxidativo. Entretanto a suplementação com a vitamina E foi benéfica para diminuir os níveis de malondialdeído produzidos durante a atividade física e aumentar a capacidade antioxidante total. Na prova TLD a atividade da PON1 sofreu influência do exercício e não foi beneficiada pela suplementação / The present study aimed to evaluate the biochemical and the molecular effects of exercise on oxidative stress and vitamin E supplementation. We determined the level of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant capacity before and after vitamin E supplementation and the level of DNA damage of peripheral leukocytes caused by the exercise of rapid acceleration and short duration (TRA). Also there was the influence of exercise of low intensity and long duration (TLD) and vitamin E supplementation on enzyme activity paraoxanase1 (PON1). Ten horses without previous training, five Arabian and five Crioulo, performed the first TRA and TLD1 seven days later. Horses received vitamin E (dl-alpha tocopherol) for 52 days in a dose of 1000 IU / day orally and then they performed TRA2 and TLD2 seven days after. The protocol used in TRA was not strong enough or physically fitness along the animal favored to not cause damage on leukocyte DNA and protect against oxidative stress, while vitamin E supplementation was beneficial to decrease levels of malondialdehyde produced during physical activity and increase antioxidant capacity. However in TLD the PON1 activity was influenced by exercise and was not benefited from supplementation

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-13T14:50:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2014-06-05Bitstream added on 2014-08-13T17:59:43Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000775694.pdf: 667347 bytes, checksum: 4e2585a9d9fc83d0c59271d70d81aa4c (MD5) / A presente pesquisa objetivou avaliar os efeitos de níveis de vitamina E em dietas de frangos de corte sobre o desempenho, características de carcaça, qualidade da carne e sistema imunológico das aves. Foram utilizados 1050 pintos de corte, da linhagem Cobb, distribuídos em um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado com cinco tratamentos e seis repetições de 35 aves por parcela experimental. As dietas experimentais foram formuladas a base de milho e farelo de soja de acordo com as recomendações nutricionais para frangos de corte das Tabelas Brasileiras para Aves e Suínos e divididas em quatro fases: pré-inicial (1 a 7 dias), inicial (8 a 21 dias), crescimento (22 a 35 dias) e final (36 a 42 dias de idade) sendo que a dieta basal atendeu as exigências de vitamina E propostas para as fases citadas (35; 31; 28; 21 UI/kg de ração, respectivamente). Para variáveis de desempenho não se obteve diferença entre os tratamentos, assim como para rendimento de carcaça e partes, e análise de qualidade de carne, entretanto, para espécies reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS) para peito e sobrecoxa obteve-se diferença aos 30 e 60 dias de armazenamento, assim como para a oxidação no plasma sanguíneo. Na análise de títulos de anticorpos contra o vírus da doença de Gumboro a vitamina E não resultou diferença na resposta imunológica das aves. Concluindo que a administração de elevadas doses de vitamina E não afeta diretamente os índices zootécnicos, o rendimento de carcaça e cortes, assim como os parâmetros de qualidade de carne e atividade imune. Níveis de inclusão de 52,5; 46,5; 56 e 63 UI de vitamina E/kg de ração nos 1-7; 8-21; 22-35 e 36-42 dias de idade reduzem a oxidação dos tecidos e plasma sanguíneo, demonstrando o poder antioxidante da vitamina E. / This study aimed to evaluate the effects of vitamin E levels in broiler diets on performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality and immune system of birds. 1050 chicks of Cobb strain were distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments and six replicates of 35 birds per experimental plot. The experimental diets were formulated based on corn and soybean meal according to the dietary recommendations for broilers to Brazilian Tables for Poultry and Swine and divided into four phases: pre-starter ( 1-7 days) , early ( 8-21 days) , growth ( 22-35 days) and late ( 36-42 days old ) and that the basal diet met the requirements of vitamin E proposed to the aforementioned phases ( 35 , 31 , 28, 21 IU / kg diet, respectively). For performance variables were not obtained difference between treatments, as well as parts and carcass yield and meat quality analysis, however, for thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) for breast and drumstick species difference was obtained at 30 and 60 days of storage, as well as in plasma oxidation. In the analysis of titers of antibodies against the virus of Gumboro disease to vitamin E resulted in no difference in the immune response of the birds. It can be concluded that the administration of high doses of vitamin E does not directly affect production indices, carcass yield and cuts, as well as the parameters of meat quality and immune activity. Inclusion levels of 52.5; 46.5; 56 and 63 IU vitamin E / kg of diet on 1-7; 8-21; 22-35 and 36-42 days of age reduce oxidation of the tissues and blood plasma, demonstrating the antioxidant properties of vitamin E

Orientador: Aguemi Kohayagawa / Coorientador: Daisy M. Fávero Salvadori / Banca: Regina Kiomi Takahira / Banca: Marcos Jun Watanabe / Banca: Luciana Pereira Machado / Banca: Veridiana Fernandes da Silveira / Resumo: O presente estudo pretendeu avaliar o efeito do exercício e da suplementação com vitamina E sobre estresse oxidativo. Determinaram-se o nível de lipoperoxidação, por meio da mensuração do malondialdeído (MDA) e da capacidade antioxidante total antes e após a suplementação com vitamina E e o nível de lesão de DNA dos leucócitos periféricos ocasionado pelo exercício de rápida aceleração e curta duração (TRA). Também verificou-se a influência do exercício de baixa intensidade e longa duração (TLD) e a da suplementação com vitamina E na atividade da enzima paraoxanase1 (PON1). Para tanto, foram utilizados 10 equinos sem treinamento prévio, sendo cinco Árabes e cinco Crioulos que realizaram primeiro o TRA1 e sete dias depois, o TLD1. Em seguida, durante 52 dias os equinos receberam vitamina E (dl-alfa-tocoferol) na dose de 1.000 UI/dia, por via oral e, posteriormente, realizaram o TRA2 e o TLD2 com sete dias de intervalo. O protocolo utilizado em TRA não foi intenso o suficiente e/ou o bom condicionamento dos animais favoreceram a ausência de lesão de DNA dos leucócitos e a proteção contra o estresse oxidativo. Entretanto a suplementação com a vitamina E foi benéfica para diminuir os níveis de malondialdeído produzidos durante a atividade física e aumentar a capacidade antioxidante total. Na prova TLD a atividade da PON1 sofreu influência do exercício e não foi beneficiada pela suplementação / Abstract: The present study aimed to evaluate the biochemical and the molecular effects of exercise on oxidative stress and vitamin E supplementation. We determined the level of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant capacity before and after vitamin E supplementation and the level of DNA damage of peripheral leukocytes caused by the exercise of rapid acceleration and short duration (TRA). Also there was the influence of exercise of low intensity and long duration (TLD) and vitamin E supplementation on enzyme activity paraoxanase1 (PON1). Ten horses without previous training, five Arabian and five Crioulo, performed the first TRA and TLD1 seven days later. Horses received vitamin E (dl-alpha tocopherol) for 52 days in a dose of 1000 IU / day orally and then they performed TRA2 and TLD2 seven days after. The protocol used in TRA was not strong enough or physically fitness along the animal favored to not cause damage on leukocyte DNA and protect against oxidative stress, while vitamin E supplementation was beneficial to decrease levels of malondialdehyde produced during physical activity and increase antioxidant capacity. However in TLD the PON1 activity was influenced by exercise and was not benefited from supplementation / Doutor

Orientador: José Roberto Sartori / Coorientador: Vitor Barbosa Fascina / Banca: Carmen Josefina Contreras Castilho / Resumo: A presente pesquisa objetivou avaliar os efeitos de níveis de vitamina E em dietas de frangos de corte sobre o desempenho, características de carcaça, qualidade da carne e sistema imunológico das aves. Foram utilizados 1050 pintos de corte, da linhagem Cobb, distribuídos em um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado com cinco tratamentos e seis repetições de 35 aves por parcela experimental. As dietas experimentais foram formuladas a base de milho e farelo de soja de acordo com as recomendações nutricionais para frangos de corte das Tabelas Brasileiras para Aves e Suínos e divididas em quatro fases: pré-inicial (1 a 7 dias), inicial (8 a 21 dias), crescimento (22 a 35 dias) e final (36 a 42 dias de idade) sendo que a dieta basal atendeu as exigências de vitamina E propostas para as fases citadas (35; 31; 28; 21 UI/kg de ração, respectivamente). Para variáveis de desempenho não se obteve diferença entre os tratamentos, assim como para rendimento de carcaça e partes, e análise de qualidade de carne, entretanto, para espécies reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS) para peito e sobrecoxa obteve-se diferença aos 30 e 60 dias de armazenamento, assim como para a oxidação no plasma sanguíneo. Na análise de títulos de anticorpos contra o vírus da doença de Gumboro a vitamina E não resultou diferença na resposta imunológica das aves. Concluindo que a administração de elevadas doses de vitamina E não afeta diretamente os índices zootécnicos, o rendimento de carcaça e cortes, assim como os parâmetros de qualidade de carne e atividade imune. Níveis de inclusão de 52,5; 46,5; 56 e 63 UI de vitamina E/kg de ração nos 1-7; 8-21; 22-35 e 36-42 dias de idade reduzem a oxidação dos tecidos e plasma sanguíneo, demonstrando o poder antioxidante da vitamina E. / Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of vitamin E levels in broiler diets on performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality and immune system of birds. 1050 chicks of Cobb strain were distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments and six replicates of 35 birds per experimental plot. The experimental diets were formulated based on corn and soybean meal according to the dietary recommendations for broilers to Brazilian Tables for Poultry and Swine and divided into four phases: pre-starter ( 1-7 days) , early ( 8-21 days) , growth ( 22-35 days) and late ( 36-42 days old ) and that the basal diet met the requirements of vitamin E proposed to the aforementioned phases ( 35 , 31 , 28, 21 IU / kg diet, respectively). For performance variables were not obtained difference between treatments, as well as parts and carcass yield and meat quality analysis, however, for thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) for breast and drumstick species difference was obtained at 30 and 60 days of storage, as well as in plasma oxidation. In the analysis of titers of antibodies against the virus of Gumboro disease to vitamin E resulted in no difference in the immune response of the birds. It can be concluded that the administration of high doses of vitamin E does not directly affect production indices, carcass yield and cuts, as well as the parameters of meat quality and immune activity. Inclusion levels of 52.5; 46.5; 56 and 63 IU vitamin E / kg of diet on 1-7; 8-21; 22-35 and 36-42 days of age reduce oxidation of the tissues and blood plasma, demonstrating the antioxidant properties of vitamin E / Mestre