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The effects of prepartum, Shatavari root powder supplementation on postpartum dry matter intake (DMI), plasma
metabolites, milk production, composition and reproductive performance was studied in cross bred cows. Advance pregnant
cows were divided based on most probable milk production ability, body weight and parity into a control non-supplemented,
NS group (n=5) and an experimental Shatavari supplemented, ARS group (n=5). ARS group cows were fed Shatavari root
power@100 mg/kg live body weight once in the morning from -60 days till parturition, while NS group cows served as
control. The milk yield was significantly more (P<0.01) in ARS group than the NS group. Colostrum protein, total solids,
SNF (P<0.05) and total immunoglobulin level was higher (P<0.01) in ARS group in comparison to NS group. Cows of ARS
group took less time to expel placental membranes (P<0.05) and had less service period and service/ conception (P<0.05)
than the NS group. It was concluded that prepartum supplementation of Shatavari significantly increased milk yield, colostrums
total immunoglobulin and reduced total milk cholesterol, service period and service/conception in ensuing lactation.
IPC Int. Cl.8: A61K 36/00, A01K, G01N 33/04, A23C 9/00, A61D 19/00, C07K
Prepartum nutritional management and energy status disorders, quality of milk and immunity of both
of a dairy cow determines the postpartum mother and foetus. Traditionally, Shatavari root
productivity, health status of dairy cows and the birth powder are used for the treatment of productive,
weight of newborns1,2. The nutritional avoidance reproductive and udder ailment of livestock in several
during dry period adversely affects milk production, parts of India9,10,11,21. However, scientific literature on
reproduction in ensuing lactation and renders animals the beneficial effect of Shatavari feeding in dairy
susceptible to diseases and disorders around calving cows is lacking. Considering its importance, the
and thereafter3,4. During this transition phase pregnant present study was undertaken to determine the effect
animal undergo endocrine, metabolic and other of prepartum supplementation of Shatavari root
physiological adjustments that lead to increased powder on milk production and reproductive
energy requirements and may cause reduction in body performance in ensuing lactation in crossbred cows.
weight of aimals5. Hormones and other additives have
been used to augment milk production but their use is Methodology
limited due to residual effects in body and milk6,7. Asparagus racemosus Willd. (Satavar, Shatavari,
Shatavari , an important herbal medicinal plant of or Shatamull) is a species of Asparagus common
tropical and sub-tropical regions in India, has throughout Sri Lanka, India and the Himalayas. It
medicine importance due to presence of steroidal grows 1-2 m tall and prefers to take root in gravelly,
saponins, sapogenins and phytochemicals8. Shatavari rocky soils high up in piedmont plains, at 1,300–1,400
has galactagogue and mammogenic function through m elevation. It was botanically described in 1799.
enhancing blood prolactin and cellular division in Due to its multiple uses, the demand for Asparagus
mammary gland to augment lactation9. Shatavari use racemosus is constantly on the rise. Due to destructive
during pregnancy improves indigestion, acidity harvesting, combined with habitat destruction, and
—————— deforestation, the plant is now considered
*Corresponding author 'endangered' in its natural habitat.
KUMAR et al.: EFFECT OF SHATAVARI ON ANIMAL PRODUCTIVITY 405
Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari) is recommended milk SCC score was calculated12. Reproduction
in Ayurvedic texts for the prevention and treatment of parameters such as service period (days), number of
gastric ulcers, dyspepsia and as a galactogogue. services/conception, incidence of reproductive
A. racemosus has also been used by some Ayurvedic disorders and postpartum incidence of oestrus, uterus
practitioners for nervous disorders. Shatawari has health and uterine involution were recorded on 7, 14,
different names in the different Indian languages, 21, 28 35 and 42 days postpartum13. Jugular blood
such as Shatuli, Vrishya and other terms. In Nepal, it samples were collected in heparinised (20 IU heparin/ml
is called Kurilo. The name Shatawari means "curer of blood) tubes at monthly interval upto 90 days
a hundred diseases" (shat: "hundred"; vari: "curer") postpartum. Plasma glucose (O-Toluidine method),
Experiment was conducted on healthy advance protein (analytical kit, M/S Erba Mannnheim GmbH)
pregnant cross bred 10 cows which were managed and urea (Span Diagnostic kit Co.) were estimated. The
in an asbestos roof shed in accordance with the cost benefit ratio was calculated based on total cost of
approval of Institutional Animal Ethics Committee Shatavari (A. Racemosus) fed prepartum and increase in
(project No. B14). Cows were divided randomly milk yield. Statistical analysis of data was carried out by
according to most probable production ability least squares analysis (ANOVA). Student ‘t’ test was
(MPPA), parity, body weight into two groups, viz. employed to estimate the effect of treatment on
control- non-supplement, NS (MPPA 3841.0 ± 83.83, reproductive performance14.
parity 2.6 ± 1.12, body weight 434.02 ± 33.35 kg) and
A. racemosus supplement, ARS, (MPPA 3821.2 ± Results
96.78, parity 1.8 ± 0.8, initial body weight Milk production and composition
442.8±25.29 kg). A. racemosus (Shatavari) root The increase in body weight gain (P>0.05) and body
powder (M/S Raj Chemicals, Neemach, MP; Price Rs. weight change/day was more (P<0.05) in ARS group in
105/kg)) was fed to ARS group cows @100 mg/kg comparison to NS group (Table 1). The time taken to
live body weight once in the morning from -60 days expel the placenta was more in NS group (P<0.05) than
till parturition. During prepartum period cows were the ARS group, but weight of placenta varied non-
fed chaffed green sorghum [Sorghum bicolour (L.) significantly (Table 2). Average colostrum protein,
Moench] and concentrate mixture (3.5 kg/day/cow). total solids and total immunoglobulin level was more
After parturition all cows received berseem (Trifolium (P<0.05) in ARS group than the NS group (Fig. 1).
alexandrinum L.) and wheat straw as a roughage and
concentrate in ratio of 55:45. DM content of forage
and left over was determined to calculate the daily
DMI and analysis of feed samples was carried out.
During the experiment period of 150 days cows were
milked at 4:30, 12:30 and 19:30 hrs by machine. The
calf weaning was practiced immediately after
parturition and calves were fed as per NDRI feeding
schedule. The milk yields were recorded daily and
milk samples were analyzed for fat, protein, SNF,
total solids (Lacto Star Analyzer) and milk total
cholesterol19. Weekly MCMT score and fortnightly Fig: 1—Total milk immunoglobulin levels in ARS and NS group cows.
Table 1—Prepartum body weight change in control (NS) and Experimental (ARS) Karan Fries cows
Groups Initial body Body weight Total Body Body weight Gestation Calf Birth Total Body Calf weight Body
weight (Kg) before weight change change/d (kg) period (day) weight (kg) wt. loss at % parturition weight of
parturition (kg) (kg) Parturition loss calf
(kg) (% cows
weight)
a
Control 434.02 ± 458.1± 24.09a± 280.2 ± 29.00± 50.90 ± 57.36 ± 6.46 ±
(NS) 33.35 30.46 5.52 0.403 ± 0.41 2.86 5.15 3.70 0.78
0.10
b b
Experimenta 442.8 ± 478.9 ± 0.94 36.16 ± 277.2 ± 0.43 26.72 ± 67.30 ± 49.01 ± 5.65 ±
l (ARS) 25.29 7.19 0.627 ± 0.88 11.29 4.41 0.34
0.16
Means with different superscripts a, b differ in a column (P<0.05)
406 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL. 13, NO. 2 APRIL 2014
Table 2—Weight of placenta, time required for expulsion of placenta, retention of fetal membrane and body weight changes during
colostrum phase in control (NS) and Experimental (ARS) Karan Fries cows
Groups Weight of Time required for RFM (No) Incidence of Body weight just after Total body weight Body weight loss
placenta (kg) expulsion of twin+ dystocia parturition (kg) loss of cows during (kg/day)
placenta (h) (No) colostrum period
(kg)
Control (NS) 3.94 ±0.34 5.4a ± 1.10 3 0 407.20 ± 21.38 18.80 ±9.56 3.76 ± 1.91
Experimental 3.94 ±0.28 3.30b ± 0.3 2 1, 1 411.60 ±8.14 20.60 ± 6.12 4.12 ± 1.22
(ARS)
Mean with different superscripts a, b differ in a column differ (P<0.05).
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