The effects of vitamin C and E supplementation on the development and survival of bullfrog tadpoles were evaluated. The animals received 50, 250 and 500mg vitamin C or E/kg dry ration. In the control diet, vitamins were not added. A fully randomized experimental design was utilized, with 3 replicates of each treatment. Vitamin supplemented tadpoles did not show significant difference on growth compared to the control. Furthermore, tadpoles with supplementation of 500mg vitamin C showed better survival (62.83%) than control (40.48%; p<0.05).The other levels of vitamin C and E did not affect the survival of tadpoles. The present study suggests that 500mg vitamin C/kg dry ration is a tool to improve the survival of bullfrog tadpoles.
vitamin C; vitamin E; tadpoles; Rana catesbeiana; survival