Effects of feeding a Moringa oleifera rachis and twig preparation to dairy cows on their milk production and composition, and plasma antioxidants

摘要

Moringa oleifera Lam is indigenous to sub-Himalayan tracts in north-west India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan and now widely distributed in most tropical regions. Moringa leaves are exceptionally rich in pro-vitamin A, vitamins B and C, iron, and several amino acids and have received attention for its effects on the health and commercial performance of goats, sheep, cows, and laying hens as a supplement to animal diets. However, little information is available concerning the effects of addinga preparation of twigs and rachises to the diets of animals. Therefore, for the work reported herein, we evaluated the effects of a moringa twig and rachis preparation on milk production, fatty acid (FA) composition, and plasma antioxidants of lactatingHolstein cows.