Effects of Moringa oleifera leaf powder supplementation on milk somatic cell scores and the plasma indexes of inflammation and antioxidant activity in dairy cows.

Abstract

The effects of Moringa oleifera (MO) leaf powder (MOLP) supplementation on milk somatic cell scores (SCS), plasma inflammation markers, and plasma antioxidants were studied in 18 multiparous Holstein cows, 10 in early lactation (days in milk; DIM < 100) and eight in mid- and late-lactation (DIM ≥ 100). Nine of these 18 cows (5 + 4 individuals for each lactation stage, respectively) were placed in the MO group and fed with MOLP at 0.3% of partial mixed ration (PMR) dry matter (DM) for 3 weeks, while the other nine represented the control group and were not fed any MOLP supplementation. Milk, blood, and rumen fluid samples were collected on weeks 0 and 3. The SCS and plasma acute phase protein (APP) concentrations in the early lactation cows in the control group increased markedly (P < 0.05) and milk yield decreased significantly, resulting in a difference (P < 0.05) between groups at the end of the experiment. In mid- and late-lactation cows, MOLP supplementation did not affect SCS, milk yields, and plasma APP concentrations. Plasma superoxide dismutase levels in the MO group at both lactation stages were higher (P < 0.05) than in the control group. In conclusion, feeding MOLP at 0.3% of PMR DM to dairy cows for 3 weeks controlled the increase in SCS in the early lactation individuals and the subsequent decrease in milk production as a response to inflammation. The results also suggested that MOLP supplementation was responsible for the increase in antioxidant activity during lactation.