article · Frontiers in Veterinary Science
This study evaluated the effects of dietary herbal supplements on dairy cows experiencing heat stress during early lactation. Thirty Holstein cows were divided into three groups: a control group on a commercial basal diet, and two groups receiving the basal diet supplemented with either 50 or 100 g per head daily of an herbal mixture. The supplements did not change overall weekly milk production, total fat, triglyceride, or total protein levels. However, supplementing at 100 g per head daily significantly decreased both milk cholesterol and serum total cholesterol levels, while significantly raising lactose content. Most fatty acids remained unaffected, but specific unsaturated fatty acids such as C19:00 and C18:3 increased noticeably. Key blood markers including cortisol and prolactin showed no changes, demonstrating that the mixture improves milk quality parameters without altering overall yield.
High ambient temperatures cause heat stress in dairy cattle, which can compromise their physiological state and the composition of their milk. Identifying effective feed additives helps maintain or improve the nutritional profile of dairy products under challenging environmental conditions. Enhancing beneficial fatty acids and reducing cholesterol could offer healthier dairy options for consumers while supporting animal health during hot periods.
The findings point to potential applications in livestock nutrition, specifically for feed manufacturers developing functional supplements for dairy herds exposed to high temperatures. The research represents an applied, tested dietary intervention in a small cohort of thirty cows, placing it at an experimental or early testing stage prior to wider commercial formulation and field validation across larger agricultural operations.
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The present study explored the influence of supplemental herbal mixtures on cow milk production, quality, and blood parameters in dairy cows under high ambient temperatures. Thirty Holstein cows were randomly assigned into three experimental groups of 10 each. The first control group was supplied with the commercial basal diet, whereas two treatment groups were provided with the commercial basal diet supplemented with 50 and 100 g/head/day of the herbal mixture, respectively. The results showed that the mixture of herbal supplementation did not influence weekly milk production. Milk total fat, triglyceride, and total protein values were not affected (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in cows fed on basal diets supplemented with herbal mixture; however, milk cholesterol was decreased significantly by 100 mg/head/day of the herbal mixture. On the other hand, lactose has increased significantly by adding 100 mg/head/day of herbal mixture. Furthermore, the total cholesterol level in serum was decreased by adding 100 mg/head/day of the herbal mixture, while plasma prolactin, cortisol, GOT, and GPT were unaffected. Regarding fatty acids (C18, C18:1 (c9), 18:1 (c11), 18:2 (c9, c12), 18:2 (t9, t12), and CLA (c9, t11)), there was no significant variation between the groups. Meanwhile, both C19:00 and 18:3 (c6, c9, and c12) were noticeably higher (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in the group that received 100gm, followed by 50 mg, compared to the control. In conclusion, the supplement with a herbal mixture positively affected milk quality by decreasing total cholesterol and increasing lactose, milk fatty acid profile by increasing unsaturated fatty acids content, and plasma cholesterol levels.
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DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1180539
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