Supplementation of Rosemary Extract Improves Lactation Performance and Rumen Function in Dairy Buffaloes Under Hot...

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Nutritional Science
• Veterinary Medicine

Background:

• Heat stress negatively impacts dairy buffalo health and productivity.
• Rosemary extract (RE) possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Natural feed supplements are sought for mitigating heat stress in livestock.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effects of dietary rosemary extract (RE) on heat-stressed Mediterranean dairy buffaloes.
• To assess RE's impact on milk production, composition, blood parameters, and rumen microbial ecosystem.
• To determine RE's potential as a natural feed supplement for improving buffalo performance under heat stress.

Main Methods:

• A 35-day feeding trial with twenty Mediterranean dairy buffaloes.
• Two groups: control (basal diet) and RE group (basal diet + 20 g/d RE).
• Evaluated milk yield/composition, blood biomarkers, and rumen microbial diversity and composition.

Main Results:

• RE supplementation increased milk production, 4% fat-corrected milk, protein, lactose, and solids-not-fat.
• RE improved antioxidant status, immune markers (IgA, IgM), and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α).
• RE enhanced rumen volatile fatty acid concentrations, microbial alpha-diversity, and beneficial bacterial abundances.

Conclusions:

• Dietary RE supplementation (20 g/d) benefits heat-stressed dairy buffaloes.
• RE improves milk yield and quality by optimizing rumen function and systemic health.
• Rosemary extract is a viable natural supplement for enhancing dairy buffalo performance during hot weather.