Impact of Phytogenic Feed Additive on Milk Production and Milk Components in Holstein Friesian Cross Breed Dairy Cows Under Field Conditions
Impact of Phytogenic Feed Additive on Milk Production and Milk Components in Holstein Friesian Cross Breed Dairy Cows Under Field Conditions
Subramaniyam Suresh, Saravanakumar Marimuthu*, Prashanth D’Souza
ABSTRACT
Choline is a supplement that can have an incredible effect in production and wellbeing of dairy cows, yet its prerequisites have not been clearly characterized. Therefore, the present study was designed to assess the impact of supplementing phytogenic feed additive (PTF; a natural replacer of synthetic choline chloride) on milk production, milk quality and biochemical parameters. A total of 35 (15 nos. – control group and 20 nos. – PTF group) early lactating dairy cows weighing average of 450 kg were randomly distributed to two groups viz G1 (control) and G2 (supplemented with PTF) based on average milk yield. The freshly prepared mixture of PTF (40 g/cow/day) in concentrate feed and water was fed to the dairy cows for four consecutive weeks. The effectiveness of PTF was evaluated by assessing the parameters like milk yield (L), 4% fat corrected milk (4% FCM), milk fat (%), blood beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) (mmol/L), and serum cholesterol & triglycerides (mg/dL), and liver marker enzymes (IU/L) viz. aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). Results revealed that 4% FCM was numerically improved on week 1 (0.11), week 2 (0.46), week 3 (0.56), and week 4 (0.54) as compared to baseline in PTF supplemented group. Milk fat (%) was also significantly (p < 0.001) improved on weeks 2, 3 & 4 as compared to baseline in PTF supplemented group. Serum total cholesterol (p < 0.001) and triglycerides (p < 0.05) levels were significantly increased after 4 weeks of PTF supplementation. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that PTF has potential to imitate the biological functions of choline chloride, and hence, PTF could be recommended for the administration in the ration of dairy cows for the enhancement of milk quality and overall health status of dairy cows.
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