Abstract
This study examined the effects of micro-supplementation of Moringa oleifera leaf meal on lactation performance and blood metabolites of lactating dairy cows. Thirty Jersey cows (± 40 days in milk (DIM)) were supplemented with Moringa oleifera leaf meal (M) at 0 (M0), 30 (M30) and 60 g/cow/day. The experiment lasted until 90 DIM with 14 days adaptation. Milk yield was recorded daily and samples were collected once weekly to determine milk composition and total antioxidant capacity (MTAC). Blood samples were collected on days 54, 68 and 90 in milk to determine serum total protein (TSP), albumin (Alb), immunoglobulin G (IgG) and serum total antioxidant capacity (STAC). Body weight (BW) and milk yield were not affected ( P >0.05) by Moringa supplementation. Moringa supplementation at M60 increased ( P <0.05) milk fat and MTAC with a significant reduction in somatic cell count (SCC). Increased ( P <0.05) total serum protein (TSP) and IgG with reduced ( P <0.05) non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) levels were observed in M60. Increased ( P <0.05) STAC levels were noted in all groups supplemented with Moringa . Micro-supplementation with Moringa oleifera at 60 g/cow/day markedly reduced oxidative stress, which resulted in improved milk quality and immunity in lactating Jersey cows. Keywords: antioxidant herbs, antioxidative status, immunity, Jersey cows, milk yield
Highlights
Dairy farmers are faced with challenges in maintaining production, good health, optimum growth and reproduction, which determine dairy economic feasibility (Barkema et al, 2015)
High levels of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) enhance the oxidation of fatty acids, triggering overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (Sordillo & Raphael, 2013)
Feed intake Body weight (BW) and milk yield were not affected by micro-supplementation (Table 2)
Summary
Dairy farmers are faced with challenges in maintaining production, good health, optimum growth and reproduction, which determine dairy economic feasibility (Barkema et al, 2015). Synergistic stress from high temperatures and post-calving negative energy balance (NEB) increase the levels of NEFA (Yatoo et al, 2015). High levels of NEFA enhance the oxidation of fatty acids, triggering overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (Sordillo & Raphael, 2013). The circulation of high and unregulated ROS levels causes oxidative stress, which increases the incidences of inflammatory diseases such as mastitis (Sordillo & Raphael, 2013). In confined systems, the risk of over- or undersupplying micro elements is high (Bouwstra et al, 2010), the overproduction of pro-oxides is common (Rizzo et al, 2013). With increasing global food insecurity and malnutrition, especially in developing countries, research focus has shifted to exploration of the potential of natural antioxidants in improving animal production and health to support human nutrition and health
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