Abstract
This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of mulberry leaf flavonoids (MLF) on oxidative stress, metabolic hormones, and milk production in Murrah buffaloes. Forty multiparous Murrah buffaloes (4 ± 1 lactations) with similar body weight (average 600 ± 50 Kg) and stage of lactation (90 ± 20 d) were randomly selected for this trial. Four treatment groups (10 buffaloes per group) with different doses of MLF included; control (0 g/d), MLF15 (15 g/d), MLF30 (30 g/d), and MLF45 (45 g/d). Buffaloes were fed with total mix ration consisting of grass (Pennisetum purpureum schum), brewery's grain and concentrate mixture for 5 weeks. Meteorological data including ambient temperature and relative humidity were recorded using the online dust monitoring system to calculate temperature-humidity index (THI). After 1 week of the adaptation, milk yield was recorded daily while physiological parameters (respiratory rate, rectal, and body surface temperature), and milk composition were measured weekly. At the end of the trial, blood samples were collected to analyze serum metabolic hormones including estradiol (E2), growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), Tri-iodothyronine (T3), and Thyroxine (T4). Moreover, serum heat shock proteins (HSP), antioxidants enzymes including malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and blood biochemical indices were also analyzed. Results revealed a decrease (P = 0.012) in serum MDA level while increasing (P < 0.01) the HSP and serum GHS-Px contents in supplemented buffaloes. Treatment showed a linear and quadratic decrease (p = 0.001) in the serum T-AOC while reducing CAT contents linearly (p = 0.012) as compared to the control. However, no effect of treatment on serum SOD content was observed. Treatment resulted a linear increase (p = 0.001) in serum GH and PRL hormones while increasing serum E2 levels linearly (P < 0.001) and quadratically (P = 0.025). Treatment increased (p = 0.038) the daily milk yield as compared to the control. However, increase (P < 0.05) in serum T3 and T4 contents, fat corrected milk (4%) and milk protein (%) was observed only in MLF45. Moreover, we observed no change in serum biochemical indices except insulin which linearly increased (p = 0.002) in MLF45. Our findings indicated that MLF at 45 g per day is an appropriate level to enhance milk performance and alleviate heat stress in buffaloes.
Highlights
Flavonoids belong to a diverse group of plant polyphenols that are widely distributed in different plant species and possess a wide range of biological and pharmacological activities
Quercetin enhanced the insulin release in isolated islets of Langerhans in vitro in a mice model [37]. These findings clearly indicate that mulberry leaf flavonoids (MLF) can positively affect glucose metabolism and could be beneficial in regard to the metabolic adaption of high-producing dairy animals to early lactation
Flavonoids have shown to decrease total protozoa and methanogens to significantly decrease in vitro methane production without adversely affecting rumen microbial fermentation [64]. These findings collectively suggest that MLF can potentially modulate rumen microbiome to mediate fermentation kinetics subsequently leading to better nutrient utilization and performance in ruminants
Summary
Flavonoids belong to a diverse group of plant polyphenols that are widely distributed in different plant species and possess a wide range of biological and pharmacological activities. Most of the plant species used as animal fodders are rich sources of flavonoids along with other polyphenolic contents [1]. Due to excellent biological properties, flavonoids are considered efficient feed supplements for livestock to enhance performance (growth and development) and quality of animal products [2]. Flavonoids from plant species of genus Morus (commonly known as mulberry) which belongs to the family Moraceae are famous for their antioxidant potential. Mulberry foliage has been used as alternate forage for livestock in China, mainly due to their rich nutrient profile and flavonoid contents [7]. Feeding of mulberry leaves has shown to increase fiber degradation and utilization leading to enhanced milk production in ruminants [8]. Mulberry leaves have shown potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties owing to their rich flavonoid contents [9]
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