Background: The exploratory trial explored the effects of a high plane of nutrition in combination with herbal feed additive on feed intake, metabolic and hormonal profiles, antioxidant potential, immunity and productive and reproductive efficiency in postpartum Tharparkar cows. Methods: The experiment was carried out on eighteen cows (30-60 d post calving), randomly allocated to three groups: A control group (CON) fed fresh green fodder, wheat straw and concentrate feed; T1 receives a 10% higher concentrate feed and T2 receiving the T1 diet plus a herbal supplement. Result: The cows of T1 as well as T2 groups had substantially elevated DM and OM intake. The cows of T2 group exhibited reduced serum NEFA levels (99.39 vs. 103.80), enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities including GPx, CAT, SOD and total antioxidant potential, higher serum T3 as well as T4, lower cortisol and LPO and enhanced delayed type immunity. Both T1 and T2 groups had more daily milk yield, 4% FCM and ECM, while T2 exhibited higher DPPH action in milk. The cows in T2 group showed earlier estrus, higher conception rates and required fewer artificial inseminations.

Management of unproductive cattle is economically challenging, particularly under resource-constrained conditions where feeding costs dominate the total expenditure. Therefore, development of cost-effective, nutritionally adequate maintenance rations is essential for sustainable livestock management. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of such rations on nutrient intake, physiological responses, and economic efficiency in unproductive Tharparkar cattle. A 60-day feeding trial was conducted using twenty-four non-pregnant, nonlactating Tharparkar cows randomly allocated to four dietary treatments: control (T0; conventional ration), T1 (cost-effective concentrate-based ration), T2 (total mixed ration), and T3 (urea-treated wheat straw supplemented with minimal concentrate). Dry matter intake, body weight, hematological indices, serum biochemical parameters, and stress biomarkers were measured. Dry matter intake and body weight remained statistically similar (P > 0.05) across all groups, indicating that the experimental rations met maintenance requirements. Hematological and serum biochemical parameters remained within normal physiological ranges, confirming the metabolic safety. Serum urea concentration was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in T3 (19.08 ± 0.36 mg/dL) compared to T0 (12.54 ± 0.32 mg/dL) at day 60, but remained within acceptable limits. Stress indicators, including superoxide dismutase activity and serum cortisol, were unaffected by dietary treatments. These findings demonstrated that urea treated straw and cost-effective rations provide a nutritionally adequate and economically viable strategy for maintaining unproductive cattle under resource-constrained conditions.

The current study investigated the effects of a novel feed supplement (NFS) on nutrient intake, body weight, body condition score, energy balance, metabolic profile, and mineral status in dairy cows during early lactation. A total of 12 postpartum crossbred lactating cows were randomly divided into two groups (n=6): acontrol group (CON) and anovel feed supplement group (NFS), with experimental feeding conducted over a 90-day period. The CON group was fed a diet consisting of green fodder, wheat straw, and a concentrate mixture, whereas the NFS group received the same diet supplemented with a novel feed supplement @ 0.25% of body weight. Results showed that cows in the NFS group had a higher voluntary feed intake compared to the CON group. Body weights and body condition scores remained comparable between both groups. Cows fed with NFS had significantly higher serum glucose and lower serum non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) levels than those in the CON group. Additionally, haemoglobin, hematocrit, serum total protein, albumin, and urea levels were significantly elevated in the NFS group, while serum ALT levels were reduced compared to the CON group. Serum levels of key minerals (Ca, iP, Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn) were also enhanced in the NFS group. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of the novel feed supplement at 0.25% of body weight significantly improved nutrient intake, energy balance, metabolic profile, and mineral status in lactating crossbred cows during the early postpartum period.

AbstractThis study scrutinized the effect of dietary supplementation of moringa foliage on the intake, blood metabolites and antioxidant indices in kids. Rohilkhandi male kids (18) of about 6 months old were randomly divided into CON, COT and MOT groups of 6 kids each as per their body weights in a completely randomized design. The male kids in CON (control) group were provided total mixed ration composed of concentrate mixture and wheat straw, whereas in COT and MOT groups kids fed TMRs having 25% of cowpea and moringa foliage, respectively, by replacing wheat straw of CON group. The kids were provided clean and fresh water twice daily. The quantity of offered TMR was adjusted fortnightly after recording the body weight (BW) of each kid. The dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) intake (% BW; g/kgW0.75) was significantly (P<0.05) higher in MOT as compared to CON and COT groups. Haemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV) values were found to be similar amongst the treatment groups. Serum glucose was significantly (P<0.05) higher in MOT and COT groups than CON, however, serum urea level was decreased (P<0.05) in MOT and COT groups relative to CON. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) was significantly (P<0.01) higher in MOT group as compared to CON; however, COT has intermediate position. The activities of catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were significantly (P<0.01) higher in MOT followed by COT and CON groups. However, lipid peroxidation (LPO) was significantly (P<0.01) higher in CON as compared to MOT and COT groups. Similarly, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) was significantly (P<0.05) higher in COT and MOT groups relative to CON. Supplementation of moringa foliage as total mixed ration considerably improved feed intake, blood metabolites and antioxidant indices in Rohilkhandi kids.

The study was conducted to study the effect of high fibre diets containing silages of maize (MS) and vegetable waste (VS) on the performance of growing-finishing pigs. Twenty-four castrated male piglets (Hampshire X Ghungroo; about 48 days old, 8.88 ± 0.15 kg BW) were randomly allotted into three groups as normal fibre basal diet (NF-BD), high fibre maize silage (HF-MS) and high fibre vegetable waste silage (HF-VS) where pigs in NF-BD group were fed basal diet for grower (BDG) and basal diet for finisher (BDF), HF-MS group were fed maize silage diet for grower (MSG) & maize silage diet for finisher (MSF) and HF-VS group were fed vegetable waste silage diet for grower (VSG) and vegetable waste silage diet for finisher (VSF), respectively for growing and finishing phases. The basal diets BDG (6.28% CF) and BDF (8.43% CF) were prepared without silages; whereas MSG (8.17% CF) and MSF (10.31% CF) diets contained maize silage (MS) and the VSG (8.03% CF) and VSF (10.0% CF) diets contained vegetable waste silage (VS) as additional fibre sources to increase the crude fibre (CF) level. Feeding high fibre diets (8-10% CF) containing silages to growing-finishing pigs had non-significant effect on daily intake and digestibility of nutrients (P>0.05), however higher CF levels showed significant reduction in the CP intake (P<0.05) per kg W0.75 during the growing period. The N-balance was comparable (P>0.05) across the groups except for the excretion of faecal and urinary N in HF-MS and HF-VS groups, respectively during the finisher phase. Net gain and ADG were significantly higher (P<0.05) in basal and VS diet-fed groups. FCR values differed significantly (P<0.001) across the treatment groups, where HF-MS showed higher values followed by HF-VS and NF-BD groups. The cost (Rs/kg weight gain) was significantly lower in the NF-BD and HF-VS groups than in the HF-MS group. This study revealed that the pigs fed vegetable waste silage-based diet (8-10% CF) performed better than the maize silage-based diet at similar CF level and the overall production performance of crossbred pigs fed vegetable waste silage-based diet is at par with low fibre basal diet (6-8% CF).

The study appraised the influence of higher plane of nutrition with herbal feed additive on feed intake, nutrient utilization, body condition score and blood-biochemical parameters in post-partum Tharparkar cows. Eighteen Tharparkar cows, ranging from second to fifth parity, with an average body weight of 340.3 +/- 5.5 kg and an average milk yield of 6.38 +/- 0.32 kg/d, were randomly divided into three groups. The control group (CON) was fed a basal diet consisting of concentrate mixture, fresh maize fodder and wheat straw, whereas, cows in Treatment-1 (T-1) received the same basal diet with 10% higher concentrate mixture and Treatment-2 (T-2), received basal diet with 10 % higher concentrate mixture along with a herbal feed additive @150mgkg(-1) BW. The feeding trial lasted for 90 days. The DM and OM intake (kgd-1) were comparable amongst the treatment groups whereas OM intake as %BW was significantly higher (P<0.05) in T-1 and T-2 groups than CON. The relative digestibility of various nutrients except EE was significantly (P<0.05) greater in T-2 group. The intakes of DCP, DOM, TDN and ME were significantly improved (P<0.01) in T-1 and T-2 groups than CON. Similarly, density of nutrients (DCP and TDN; %) of the composite diets were significantly (P<0.001) higher in T-2 followed by T-1 and CON groups, respectively. The body weight and body condition score (BCS) were similar among the groups. The cows of T-2 group exhibited significantly (P<0.01) higher haemoglobin and haematocrit values than CON and T-1 groups. Although, blood glucose, total protein and its fractions, A:G ratio, urea, AST and ALT were not affected. Thus, Tharparkar cows kept on higher plane of nutrition supplemented with herbal feed additive had significantly improved intake, nutrient utilization and haemotological parameters without affecting BCS and body weights.

This study assessed the effect of Moringa oleifera foliage supplementation on feed intake, milk yield and quality, metabolic profile, hormonal profile and immunity in Vrindavani cattle. Twelve Vrindavani cattle (30–60 d post-partum) were divided into 2 groups consisting of 6 cows in each. The cows in CON (control) group were fed a roughage-based diet comprising of green fodder, wheat straw and concentrate mixture. However, cows in the M-10 (treatment) group were provided with 10

The study was carried out to ascertain the effect of feeding herbal formulation (A. marmelos and M. koenigii) on metabolic profile and reproductive performance of crossbred cows. Crossbred cows (24) were randomly assigned to four treatment groups. Cows in CON (control) group were fed a diet comprised of green fodder, concentrate and wheat straw, while, the cows in HP (herbal powder), HPL (herbal pellets) and HEX (herbal extract) groups were offered CON diet having herbal powder (200gd−1), herbal pellets (200gd−1) and methanolic herbal extract (equivalent to 200 g herbal powder d−1), respectively. The cows were fed on treatment diets for 7 d and continued with CON diet up to one month. Hb levels were analogous among the treatments; however, haematocrit values were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the HEX group relative to CON. Total protein, albumin, globulin, A:G ratio, serum glucose, total cholesterol, AST and ALT were comparable across the dietary treatments. Serum NEFA, urea and creatinine were lower (P < 0.01) in treatment groups relative to CON. Serum minerals viz. i-P, Cu, Zn, Mn and iron were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in all the treatments than CON. The conception at first insemination was considerably higher in HPL, HEX and HP groups relative to CON. Spinnbarkeit and pH values of cervical mucus were noticeably higher in HP, HPL and HEX groups. The typical fern pattern of cervical mucus exhibited higher conception rate in treatment groups. It may be concluded that the herbal formulation positively influenced metabolic parameters and reproductive performance in post-partum crossbred cows.

Early weaning is an essential practice in pig farming to achieve better economic returns; however, insufficient nutrition during the early weaning stage can result in poor growth and increased mortality. This study evaluated the effects of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) supplementation on intake, growth performance, oxidative stress, behavioral responses, and economic outcomes in early weaned Landlly piglets. A total of 16 Landlly piglets, weaned at 35 days with an average body weight of 8.66 ± 0.38 kg, were used in this study. These piglets were randomly divided into two groups, with 8 piglets in each group. The control group was fed a basal diet, while the treatment group received the same basal diet supplemented with 5

An experiment was carried out to assess the effect of select dietary trace mineral levels under two different climatic conditions on the performance of goats. For this, 22 male goats with 21.35 ± 0.57 kg mean body weight were distributed randomly into four groups. Goats were fed three incremental levels of trace minerals (TM) selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn) and designated as TM1 (0.211 ppm Se, 41.33 ppm Zn, 8.82 ppm Cu and 36.13 ppm Mn), TM2 (0.511 ppm Se, 61.33 ppm Zn, 18.82 ppm Cu and 56.13 ppm Mn), and TM3 (0.811 ppm Se, 81.33 ppm Zn, 28.82 ppm Cu and 76.13 ppm Mn). Two environmental conditions were thermoneutral [TN; 67.75 Temperature Humidity Index (THI)] and heat stress (HS; 85.47 THI), and the exposure period was 40 days. Four experimental groups were TN-TM1, HS-TM1, HS-TM2, and HS-TM3. The TN-TM1 group showed a higher intake of all nutrients (P < 0.05), and HS-TM3 group had comparable crude protein and concentrate mixture intake to the TN-TM1 group. Digestibility of dry matter and organic matter was lower (P < 0.05) in HS-TM1 group, while ether extract digestibility was higher in HS-TM3 group compared with other groups. Total digestible nutrients content of the diet improved (P < 0.05) in HS-TM3 group and digestible organic matter and nitrogen and phosphorus absorption were greater (P < 0.05) in HS-TM3 and TN-TM1 groups, compared to other groups. The Cu balance was lesser (P ≤ 0.001) in HS-TM1 group and Mn balance showed improvement (P < 0.01) in HS-TM3 group compared to other groups. The Se balance was higher (P < 0.05) in HS-TM2 and HS-TM3 groups. The weekly body weight was similar, while weekly dry matter intake and average daily gain were higher (P ≤ 0.001) in TN-TM1 compared to HS groups. Thus, feeding higher levels of 0.811 ppm Se, 81.33 ppm Zn, 28.82 ppm Cu, and 76.13 ppm Mn under HS conditions resulted in increased nutrient digestibility, N absorption, and balance of trace minerals and had a subtle favorable impact on the growth performance of goats.

Heat stress (HS) adversely impacts livestock production, immune response, and antioxidant status. Zinc (Zn), a key component of metalloenzymes, plays a vital role in maintaining these functions, with increased Zn requirements likely under HS. This study determined the dietary Zn requirement of rats under HS. Seventy-two weaned Wistar rats were allocated into six groups in a 3 × 2 factorial design (3 Zn levels: 14.6 ppm (CON), 32.7 ppm (Zn1), and 48.9 ppm (Zn2); 2 environmental conditions: thermoneutral (TN) and HS. All groups received the same basal purified diet with varying dietary Zn supplied as zinc sulphate (ZnSO4.7H2O). Initially for 28 days all groups were maintained under TN condition, later three groups from each dietary Zn levels were exposed to HS (5 hr/d) for 14 days in a psychrometric chamber. Blood, serum, and organ samples were analyzed for biochemical, hormonal, immune, and mineral profiles. HS elevated stress markers (cortisol, malondialdehyde, cytokines, haptoglobin, alanine transaminase, and aspartate transaminase), while higher dietary Zn (48.9 ppm) significantly reduced these markers under HS. Antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase) and humoral immune response were lower in control groups but improved with increased dietary Zn in both environments. The mineral concentrations of Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe in serum were increased with higher dietary Zn levels in HS compared to TN groups. In conclusion, higher dietary Zn level at 48.9 ppm in a purified diet is effective in alleviating HS by lowering stress markers and bolstering antioxidant enzymes and humoral immune responses.

This study examined the effect of adding herbal supplements in the diets of post-partum crossbred cows (Vrindabani cattle; 59.6 ± 0.73 days post-partum) of second to fourth parity (3.1 ± 0.15) on milk yield, milk quality, immune function and antioxidant status. Twenty-four cows were randomly assigned to four groups in a completely randomized design. While the cows in HP, HPL and HEX groups received diets blended with herbal powder (200 gd- 1), herbal pellets (200 gd-1) and methanolic herbal extract (equal to 200 g herbal powder d-1), respectively, the cows in the CON group fed a diet consisting of green fodder, concentrate and wheat straw to meet the requirements for maintenance and milk production (ICAR 2013). The total duration of the experiment was of 120 days. Milk samples were collected fortnightly from each cow to study the udder health, milk composition and quality parameters. Serum antioxidant indices, immunity and mRNA expression of genes (LEP and GHRL) were ascertained. Daily milk yield, 4% Fat corrected milk (FCM), Energy corrected milk (ECM), total milk yield, fat, protein yields and pH were analogous irrespective of treatments, while Diphenyl Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) value of milk was higher (p < 0.01) in treatment groups. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and flavonoids of milk were higher (p < 0.01) in HEX and HP group relative to CON, however, HPL has transitional position. Somatic cell counts in milk were noticeably (p < 0.05) lower in HPL and HEX than CON. The clinical scoring of milk was noticeably (p < 0.05) lower in HP and HPL groups. The cell mediated (CM) immunity was higher (p < 0.05) in HPL. Serum Glutathione Peroxidase (GSH-Px), Glutathione-S-Reductase (GSR) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) were noticeably (p < 0.01) higher in HPL, HEX and HP groups relative to CON. LPO was decreased (p < 0.05) in HPL and HP groups relative to CON. The serum TAC (%) was higher (p < 0.01) in treatment groups than CON. The expression of LEP and GHRL gene remained unaffected. It can be deduced that herbal feed supplements in HPL and HP forms in the diet of post-partum cows were found to be promising as a strategy to bolster their overall health status, strengthen immune function and potentially elevate milk quality.

Global warming causes heat stress (HS) in animals, impacting nutrient absorption and metabolism. Antioxidant nutrients are crucial for combating HS. This study assessed the impact of increased dietary Zn on nutrient utilization, mineral absorption, and expression of Zn homeostasis regulators, superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1), and heat shock protein-70 (HSP70) genes in rats under HS. Seventy-two four-week-old Wistar rats were assigned to six groups in a 3×2 factorial design, with three dietary Zn levels (14.6, 32.7, and 48.9 ppm) and two environments, thermo-neutral (TN) and HS, for 42 days, including 14 days of HS exposure. Results showed that HS reduced nutrient intake across Zn levels, though ether extract digestibility increased at 32.7 and 48.9 ppm Zn. Intake, excretion, and apparent daily absorption of Ca, P, Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe were lower in HS than in TN groups. Hepatic metallothionein-1 (MT1) mRNA expression was downregulated in rats fed 14.6 and 32.7 ppm Zn compared to 48.9 ppm Zn under both environmental conditions. Duodenal Zinc transporter-1 (ZnT1) and Zrt- and Irt-like protein-1 (ZIP1) mRNA expression increased with dietary Zn under TN and HS conditions, respectively. Hepatic SOD1 mRNA expression was significantly downregulated in HS groups, while hepatic HSP70 mRNA expression was significantly upregulated at 48.9 ppm Zn under HS. Present study suggests that, under HS conditions in rats, a higher dietary Zn level of 48.9 ppm may be optimal for improving Zn absorption, enhancing ZIP1, MT1, and HSP70 gene expression, and alleviating the negative effects of HS.

The present experiment aimed to establish the efficacy of a novel feed supplement (NFS) on nutrient intake, energy status, metabolic profile, milk yield, reproductive performance and its socio economic impact on problematic post-partum buffaloes under field condition. Twenty four post-partum buffaloes were randomly and equally assigned to CON and NFS groups for 120 days of experimental feeding period. The animals in CON group were fed on basal roughages and concentrate mixture @ 20% of DMI as per the farmers’ practices, whereas, buffaloes in NFS group were fed according to CON with additional novel feed supplement @ 0.25% of BW. The voluntary feed intake and average daily gain in body weight were increased in NFS than CON group. The buffaloes fed NFS diet exhibited higher Hb, haematocrit, serum glucose and lower NEFA. Serum minerals (Ca, iP, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn), metabolic hormones (T3, T4, GH, IGF-1) and total anti-oxidant capacity were enhanced in NFS group. The milk yield and conception rate were also improved significantly following strategic supplementation of NFS. Analyses of cost benefit of milk yield revelled that the benefit-cost ratio was improved in NFS fed buffaloes. Thus, it can be concluded that strategic supplementation the novel feed supplement @ 0.25% of BW significantly improved the nutrient intake, energy balance, metabolic profile, milk yield and reproduction performance of problematic buffaloes under field condition during early post-partum period.