Journal article
Influence of a herbal component of a commercial feed additive on serum parameters, fertility and longevity of dairy cows
Publication Details
Authors: | Walkenhorst, M.; Ivemeyer, S.; Spranger, J.; Arndt, G.; Schaette, R. |
Publisher: | Georg Thieme Verlag KG |
Place: | Stuttgart New York |
Publication year: | 2010 |
Journal: | Planta Medica: Journal of Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research |
Pages range : | 1352 |
Book title: | Planta Med |
Volume number: | 76 |
ISSN: | 0032-0943 |
DOI-Link der Erstveröffentlichung: |
Abstract
Fertility dysfunction is a main culling reason for dairy cows [1]. A randomizedplacebo controlled trial investigates a herbal mixture containingmainly Urtica dioica L. (herba), Trigonella foenum-greacum L. (semen),Silybum marianum (L.) Gaert. (fructus) and Achillea millefolium L.(herba). It was fed cows daily (50 g per cow and day) about 60 d fromdry off to calving date. 63 dairy cows (32 in the herb-(h)- and 31 in theplacebo-(p)-group) of one Swiss organic dairy farm were included in thestudy. Cows were differentiated depending on their lactation number(L); L1: first lactating cows (h: n = 10, p: n = 9), L2 - 4: cows of secondto fourth lactation (h: n = 11, p: n = 12) and L> 4: cows with more than four lactations (h: n = 11, p: n = 10). Blood samples were taken and arectal palpation according to Rosenberger [2] of uterus and ovarieswas done once between day 21 and 35 after calving. Furthermore allcows were observed until culling or next calving. Table 1 shows thesignificant differences (p < 0.05) between the herb and placebo group.The fed herbal mixture seems to have an impact on the postpartal metabolicstatus of dairy cows which is a main factor influencing fertility [3].The herbs seem to prolong the postnatal anoestrus but also to decreasethe culling rate particularly for fertility reasons. Overall the prolongedintercalving period had a lower economic effect than the decreased cullingrate.
Fertility dysfunction is a main culling reason for dairy cows [1]. A randomizedplacebo controlled trial investigates a herbal mixture containingmainly Urtica dioica L. (herba), Trigonella foenum-greacum L. (semen),Silybum marianum (L.) Gaert. (fructus) and Achillea millefolium L.(herba). It was fed cows daily (50 g per cow and day) about 60 d fromdry off to calving date. 63 dairy cows (32 in the herb-(h)- and 31 in theplacebo-(p)-group) of one Swiss organic dairy farm were included in thestudy. Cows were differentiated depending on their lactation number(L); L1: first lactating cows (h: n = 10, p: n = 9), L2 - 4: cows of secondto fourth lactation (h: n = 11, p: n = 12) and L> 4: cows with more than four lactations (h: n = 11, p: n = 10). Blood samples were taken and arectal palpation according to Rosenberger [2] of uterus and ovarieswas done once between day 21 and 35 after calving. Furthermore allcows were observed until culling or next calving. Table 1 shows thesignificant differences (p < 0.05) between the herb and placebo group.The fed herbal mixture seems to have an impact on the postpartal metabolicstatus of dairy cows which is a main factor influencing fertility [3].The herbs seem to prolong the postnatal anoestrus but also to decreasethe culling rate particularly for fertility reasons. Overall the prolongedintercalving period had a lower economic effect than the decreased cullingrate.
