Exploring the Potential of Herbal Feed Supplements to Enhance Milk Performance, Immune Function and Antioxidant...

This study examined the effect of adding herbal supplements in the diets of post-partum crossbred cows (Vrindabani cattle; 59.6 ± 0.73 days post-partum) of second to fourth parity (3.1 ± 0.15) on milk yield, milk quality, immune function and antioxidant status. Twenty-four cows were randomly assigned to four groups in a completely randomized design. While the cows in HP, HPL and HEX groups received diets blended with herbal powder (200 gd^{- 1}), herbal pellets (200 gd^-1) and methanolic herbal extract (equal to 200 g herbal powder d^-1), respectively, the cows in the CON group fed a diet consisting of green fodder, concentrate and wheat straw to meet the requirements for maintenance and milk production (ICAR 2013). The total duration of the experiment was of 120 days. Milk samples were collected fortnightly from each cow to study the udder health, milk composition and quality parameters. Serum antioxidant indices, immunity and mRNA expression of genes (LEP and GHRL) were ascertained. Daily milk yield, 4% Fat corrected milk (FCM), Energy corrected milk (ECM), total milk yield, fat, protein yields and pH were analogous irrespective of treatments, while Diphenyl Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) value of milk was higher (p < 0.01) in treatment groups. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and flavonoids of milk were higher (p < 0.01) in HEX and HP group relative to CON, however, HPL has transitional position. Somatic cell counts in milk were noticeably (p < 0.05) lower in HPL and HEX than CON. The clinical scoring of milk was noticeably (p < 0.05) lower in HP and HPL groups. The cell mediated (CM) immunity was higher (p < 0.05) in HPL. Serum Glutathione Peroxidase (GSH-Px), Glutathione-S-Reductase (GSR) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) were noticeably (p < 0.01) higher in HPL, HEX and HP groups relative to CON. LPO was decreased (p < 0.05) in HPL and HP groups relative to CON. The serum TAC (%) was higher (p < 0.01) in treatment groups than CON. The expression of LEP and GHRL gene remained unaffected. It can be deduced that herbal feed supplements in HPL and HP forms in the diet of post-partum cows were found to be promising as a strategy to bolster their overall health status, strengthen immune function and potentially elevate milk quality.