Comparative Analysis of Serum Biochemicals of Sahiwal, Badri, Cross-Breed and Tulsi Cows

Abstract

The Sanskrit word Panchagavya means ‘mixture of five products’, and has been used in traditional Indian rituals throughout the history. The Ayurveda has detailed the importance of cow's milk, curd, ghee, urine and dung in treating various human ailments. This kind of treatment is called Panchagavya therapy or Cowpathy. Cattle rearing is different in mountainous regions in comparison to the plains, pertaining to the climatic changes, which directly result in their different biochemical compositions. Mineral deficiency limits productivity of livestock in developing tropical countries. To prove the relevance of the fact that indigenous cows are unique and have better qualities than other breeds as well are better suited for the preparation of Panchagavya and other medicinal preparations, a comparative study was done between Sahiwal breed, Cross-Breed, Badri cows (of the hilly regions) and Tulsi cows (local breed of Chattisgarh). A total of 100 blood samples were collected, which comprised of 38 Sahiwal cows, 34 Badri cows, 18 Cross-Breed and 10 Tulsi cows. Serum was separated and biochemical tests were performed to quantify various parameters such as lipids and minerals over a period of six months. For the mineral profile, Badri cows showed maximum mean values for calcium (09.50 ± 0.18), chloride (102.89 ± 2.20) and phosphorus (07.62 ± 0.53). Whereas Tulsi and Sahiwal showed maximum values for potassium (05.84 ± 0.09) and sodium (05.84 ± 0.09), respectively. Cross-Breed animals showed lower values. For the lipid profile, Badri cows showed maximum mean values for HDL-cholesterol (108.34 ± 3.08) and triglycerides (30.63 ± 2.17). Also their LDL-cholesterol (bad cholesterol) was low as compared to Cross-Breed cows. Also, Cross-Breed animals showed maximum value for cholesterol (183.95 ± 4.28).