Effect of polyherbal mixture supplementation on reproductive performance of postpartum dairy cattle

Introduction

India is endowed with the largest livestock population in the world comprised of 536.76 million livestock. As the world's largest milk producer, India has immense resources of livestock which forms an important segment of the economy, livelihood and a steady source of nutrition and also helps in strengthening India's economy (Shetkar et al., 2021a) [3] . Over the period, the contribution of livestock sector in the agriculture sector has been showing steady growth that signifies its growing importance in the Indian economy. Contribution of livestock sector to the Indian Agriculture and Indian Economy is increasing steadily with a share of 30.47% in Agriculture & Allied Sector's GVA and 4.75% in the country's total GVA, respectively (BAHS, 2024). Total milk production in the country is 239.30 million tonnes during 2023-24. The milk production from exotic/crossbred cattle has increased by 3.75% and indigenous/non-descript cattle have increased by 2.63% as compared to the previous year (BAHS, 2024). Despite being the largest producer of milk in the world, the average annual productivity of cattle in India during 2019-20 was only 1777 kg per animal per year as against the world average of 2699 kg per animal per year (PIB, 2021). Indigenous cattle are among the most versatile domestic animals that can adapt to different stressful climatic conditions, such as arid, tropical, and desert conditions, have better disease resistance and survive better in local environment conditions. India has an array of indigenous cattle breeds, some of which are considered as potent milch breeds (Singh, 2019) [4] .

Among indigenous cattle breeds, Hariana is the well-known dual-purpose indigenous breed of Haryana state (Shetkar et al., 2021b) [3] . Hariana cattle is known for its remarkable power of endurance under hot climate of tropics, resistance to tropical diseases and has low maintenance cost. Hariana is an important cattle breed with an average standard milk yield of 997 kg per lactation with highest recorded milk yield as 1,745 kg per lactation but high producing animals of Hariana breed may produce over 2300 kg milk in single lactation (Mishra et al., 2009) [7] . In order to restore the animal's productivity and to optimize the milk production in individual animals for better profits, various drugs, herbal preparations, hormones, mineral supplements and feed additives have been tried with variable results (Ramesh et al., 2000) [8] . Various herbs are being used since prevedic era because they are considered to be safe for consumption, cheap to procure and easily available with least or no side effects and no residual effect (Krishna et al., 2005 [9] . Herbs show galactogogue property along with several other pharmacological effects such as antimicrobial and antiinflammatory (Sathyanarayana et al., 2008) [10] , milk composition, metabolic changes in body tissues and the mammary gland (Thakur, 1977) [11] . Herbal preparations may also reduce the heat stress in dairy cows (Zhang et al., 2007) [12] . Supplementation of herbs may be useful even in controlling the incidence and negative effects of subclinical mastitis in lactating dairy cows (Giacinti et al., 2008) [13] by boosting the immune status. So, for now the effect of supplementation of herbal preparations have been observed mostly on milk production and very few literatures regarding the effect on mastitis and health status of dairy animals are available, whereas these herbs have long been used in feeding of dairy animals for their wellbeing. Further, understanding the effect of polyherbal mixture on reproductive events will advance our knowledge on these herbs and their effect on animal system. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of a polyherbal mixture on the reproductive performance of postpartum Hariana cows.

Materials and methods

The present study was carried out with the objective to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of polyherbal mixture on reproductive parameters of postpartum lactating Hariana cattle maintained at Livestock Farm Complex (LFC), DUVASU, Mathura. Animal care procedures and experimental protocols were approved by Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC). Experiment was conducted in accordance with CPCSEA guidelines, Government of India. Sixteen healthy, cyclic Hariana cows of second and third parity just after their parturition were selected for the present experiment. These experimental cows were 'Quasi randomly' assigned into two groups (Eight Hariana cows in each control and supplemented group) on the basis of their parity, body weight and average milk yield per cow per day during previous lactation (2.3, 365 kg. 4.45 kg/cow/day in control group, while 2.5, 370 kg, 4.6 kg/cow/day in supplemented group respectively. Moreover, as estrus synchronization was not practiced at LFC, Mathura, therefore, it was tried best to distribute alternate cows in the same group.

All the experimental cows were kept in loose housing system under standard management practice as followed at LFC, DUVASU, Mathura. They were kept along with their original herd mates in the same shed under loose housing system. The feeding and other management practices for these cows remained same as was normally practiced for other cows of the herd. Feeding was done as per the ICAR (2013) standards. Diets were prepared by taking concentrates and roughage in proportion of 30: 70%. Concentrate mixture prepared at LFC composing of mustard oil cake, gram chunni, wheat bran, cotton seed cake, barley grain, mineral mixture was fed to the animals. Concentrate mixture was fed to the animals only at the time of milking, twice a day. Seasonal green fodder was offered as roughages to the animals. Milking of all the animals was performed manually at regular interval, twice a day.

Procurement and supplementation of polyherbal mixture

A commercially available polyherbal mixture was procured from Essence Natura Pvt. Ltd., Panchkula, Haryana, India. The experimental polyherbal mixture comprised of a proportioned combination of Cuminum cyminum, Piper nigrum, Embelica ribes, Leptadenia reticulata, Asparagus racemosus, Anenthum sowa, Eclipta alba, Solanum nigrum, Foeniculum vulgare, Trigonella foenum graecum, Trachyspermum ammi, Swertia chirayita, Withania somnifera, Boerhavia diffusa, and Acacia catechu in powder form. In addition, Black salt was mixed along with them for palatability. This polyherbal mixture was stored at a dry place and was supplemented to the experimental cows at recommended dose rate of 25gm/day/cow at the time of daily milking. Cows were fed with Polyherbal mixture powder as per the doses properly mixed in the concentrate mixture provided before afternoon milking. The animals were taken for the experiment just after parturition and were given adaptation period for five days. The duration of experiment was from 06th to 96 th days postpartum. Total duration of the experiment was 90 days.

Parameters studied

The experimental animals were observed for following reproductive parameters during experimental period of 90 days:

Days to first heat

The period from the day of calving to the day of first time detection of heat in experimental cows was considered as days to first heat. In all the experimental animals, heat was regularly detected by using teaser bull and observing signs and symptoms of heat.

Service period

The period from the day of calving to the day of successful artificial insemination (A.I.) or conception was considered as service period.

A.I. per conception

The number of artificial inseminations required for successful conception in each experimental cow was considered as number of AI per conception.

Statistical analysis

The data observed were subjected to multivariate analysis of variance using the general linear model (GLM) procedure of the Statistical Software Package (SPSS for window, V19.0; SPSS Inc., Chicago, II, USA) using following model:

Where, Yijk is the dependent trait i.e. milk, physiological, hemato-biochemical, immunity, reproductive and ruminal attributes of kth cow on jth days of observation; Pi is the effect of ith Polyherbal mixture; Dj is the effect of jth day of observation and eijk is the random error, assumed to be normally and independently distributed with mean zero and constant variance i.e. NID (0, σ2).

Result

The present study was conducted to assess the effect of supplementation of polyherbal mixture on reproductive parameters of postpartum dairy cattle. In this experiment, 16 postpartum Hariana cows were selected and quasi-randomly divided into two groups on the basis of age, parity, body weight and average daily milk yield having 8 animals in each group. Animals of control group were fed with basal diet, only whereas, animals of treatment group were supplemented with polyherbal mixture @ 25 gm/cow/day along with basal diet. The observations recorded on different parameters have been analyzed and results for the same have been presented under following heads and subheads:

Reproductive parameters

The results for effect of supplementation of polyherbal mixture on various reproductive parameters have been presented under following subheads:

Days to first heat (d)

The results have been presented in table 2 Means with different superscript in a row differ significantly.

Service period (d)

The results for the effect of supplementation of polyherbal mixture on the service period (d) of the experimental Hariana cows have been presented in table 3 The mean for service period (d) of experimental Hariana cows differed non-significantly (P=0.485) between the supplemented group (211.00 ± 44.75) and the control group (248.50 ± 44.75). Thus, mean service period (d) was found to be nonsignificantly lesser in supplemented group as compared to control group.

Number of A.I. per conception

The results for the effect of supplementation of polyherbal mixture on the number of artificial inseminations (A.I.) per conception of the experimental Hariana cows have been presented in table 4 The mean for number of A.I. per conception of experimental Hariana cows reflected exceptionally non-significant difference (P=0.156) between the supplemented group (2.25 ± 0.24) and the control group (1.50 ± 0.24).

Discussion

The present study was carried out with the hypothesis that the herbs or polyherbal mixtures contain various active ingredients which may be helpful in improving their reproduction In present investigation post-partum Hariana cows of LFC, DUVASU, Mathura were supplemented with a polyherbal mixture and its effect on reproductive parameters have been interpreted under following subheads:

Days to first heat (d)

In the present study, the mean for days to first heat (d) of the experimental Hariana cows supplemented with polyherbal mixture decreased significantly (P=0.047) in the supplemented group compared to the control group (Figure 1). Similar findings were observed by Japheth et al. (2021) [14] , who observed that days to first insemination were earlier in the treatment group compared to the control group, supporting the findings of this study. Similarly, Kuri et al.

(2019) [15] found a significant reduction (P<0.05) in the interval from calving to the first observed estrus in the supplemented group compared to the control. Sharma (2009) [16] noted that polyherbal supplementation resulted in fewer days to postpartum estrus in Karan-Fries cows, aligning with the current results. Muwal et al. (2020) [17] also found that the mean duration of the first postpartum estrus was significantly reduced (P<0.05) in the treatment group compared to the control group. These results suggest that the polyherbal mixture effectively reduced the days to first heat in the experimental Hariana cows, indicating a positive impact on their reproductive performance.

Service period (d)

In the present study, the mean service period (d) of the experimental Hariana cows supplemented with polyherbal mixture did not differ significantly (P>0.05) between the supplemented group and the control group. However, the mean service period was shorter in the supplemented group compared to the control group (Figure 2). In agreement with our findings, Japheth et al. (2021) [14] found that the service period was shorter in the treatment group compared to the control group, supporting the trend observed in this study. Similarly, Kuri et al. (2019) [15] found a significant reduction (P<0.05) in the service period in the supplemented group compared to the control. Sharma (2009) [16] noted that polyherbal supplementation resulted in a lower service period in Karan-Fries cows, aligning with the findings of the present study. Kumar et al. (2014) [18] found that the service period was significantly reduced (P<0.05) in the supplementation group compared to the control group. Muwal et al. (2020) [17] also reported a significantly reduced (P<0.05) service period in the treatment group compared to the control group (Figure 3). These results suggest that while the polyherbal mixture did not significantly impact the service period in this study, there is evidence from other studies indicating potential benefits of similar supplements in reducing the service period.

Number of A.I. per conception

In the present study, the mean number of artificial inseminations (A.I.) per conception of the experimental Hariana cows reflected a non-significant difference (P>0.05) between the supplemented group and the control group (Figure 3). Conversely, Japheth et al. (2021) [14] observed that the number of services per conception was lower in the treatment group compared to the control group Similarly, Kuri et al. (2019) [15] found a significant reduction (P<0.05) in the number of services per conception in the supplemented group compared to the control. Sharma (2009) [16] noted that polyherbal supplementation resulted in fewer services per conception in Karan-Fries cows. Additionally, Cui et al. (2014) [19] found that the treatment group had significant decreases in the number of services per conception (P<0.01), and Kumar et al. (2014) [18] reported that the number of services per conception was significantly reduced (P<0.05) in the supplementation group compared to the control group.

Conclusion

Based upon the findings of the present investigation, it may be concluded that the supplementation of polyherbal mixture positively affected the reproductive (decrease in days in first heat) status of dairy animals. Thus, the supplementation of polyherbal mixture improved the production, reproduction and immune status of post-partum Hariana cows.

References

1. Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics (BAHS). New Delhi: Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India; 2024.
2. 20th Livestock Census. New Delhi: Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India; 2019.
3. Shetkar M, Kumar V, Singh SP, Singh Y, Kumar M, Nath S. Age at first calving and lifetime performance of Hariana cattle at organized farms. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences. 2021;91(12):1106-1108.
4. Press Information Bureau. Productivity of dairy animals. New Delhi: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India; 2021.
5. Singh N. Study on quality and bioactive components in milk of various indigenous cattle breeds in hot-arid region of Rajasthan [doctoral thesis]. Rajasthan, India: Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences; 2019.
6. Shetkar M, Kumar V, Singh SP, Singh Y, Kumar M, Singh K. Genetic analysis of first dry period and lifetime performance in Hariana cattle. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences. 2021;91(12):1103-1105.
7. Mishra BP, Mukesh M, Prakash B, Monika S, Kapila R, Kishore A. Status of milk protein, β-casein variants among Indian milch animals. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences. 2009;79:72-75.
8. Ramesh PT, Mitra SK, Suryanarayan T, Sachan A. Evaluation of Galactacin, a herbal galactagogue preparation in dairy cows. The Veterinarian. 2000;24:13.
9. Sathyanarayana N, Rajesha R, Vikas PB, Kumar TN. Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from stem explants of Leptadenia reticulata. Indian Journal of Biotechnology. 2008;7:250-254.
10. Karnal, Haryana, India: National Dairy Research Institute; 1977.
11. Zhang Q, Ni Y, Guo H, Wang C. Effects of Chinese herbal formula heat-stress-releasing on antioxidant function in dairy cows. Frontiers of Agriculture in China. 2007;1(4):478-480.
12. Giacinti G, Rosati R, Boselli C, Tammaro A, Amatiste S, Ronchi B. Control of bovine sub-clinical mastitis by using herbal extract during lactation. In: Proceedings of the 2nd Conference of the International Society of Organic Agriculture Research (ISOFAR); 2008 Jun 1820; Modena, Italy. p. 1-4.
13. Japheth KP, Kumaresan A, Patbandha TK, Baithalu RK, Selvan AS, Nag P, et al. Supplementation of a combination of herbs improves immunity, uterine cleansing and facilitates early resumption of ovarian cyclicity in postpartum dairy buffaloes. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2021;272:113931.
14. Kuri P, Kumar P, Kumar N, Aggarwal A, Singh M. Effect of poly-herbal mixture supplementation during postpartum period on feed intake and reproductive performance of Sahiwal cows. Indian Journal of Animal Nutrition. 2019;36(1):35-39.
15. Sharma A. Influence of polyherbal immunomodulator supplementation on production performance and milk quality of Karan Fries cows [doctoral thesis]. Karnal, Haryana, India: National Dairy Research Institute; 2009.
16. Muwal H, Rai DC, Bhateshwar V, Meena JP, Lal D. Effect of Shatavari root powder (Asparagus racemosus) supplementation on milk composition of Sahiwal crossbred cows. Journal of Animal Research. 2020;10(3):411-415.
17. Kumar S, Mehla RK, Singh M. Effect of Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) on milk production and immunomodulation in Karan Fries crossbred cows. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. 2014;13(2):404-408.
18. Cui D, Wang X, Wang L, Wang X, Zhang J, Qin Z, et al. The administration of Sheng Hua Tang immediately after delivery to reduce the incidence of retained placenta in Holstein dairy cows. Theriogenology. 2014; 81(5):645.