Essential oils (EOs) and their active components are attracting a lot of attention as sustainable feed additives due to their known antimicrobial properties against a variety of microorganisms, including bacteria, protozoa, and fungi. They also have biological therapeutic, antioxidant, and flavor properties. They can be used for modifying the rumen environment and improving animal productivity. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of supplementation with 2.5 and 5 g/head/day of an essential oils blend (EOB) of clove, oregano, and juniper in equal proportions on milk production and quality, and physiological status of early lactating Holstein dairy cows for 8 weeks of treatment followed by 8 weeks of posttreatment. The results revealed an improvement in milk yield (p ≤ 0.02) and feed efficiency (p ≤ 0.001) with EOB at a dose of 2.5 g/head/day. The percentages of milk protein and lactose were increased (p ≤ 0.03) with a high dose of EOB inclusion during the treatment period as compared with the control group. Milk fat percentage, fat-corrected milk, and energy-corrected milk were not significantly affected by EOB supplementation. The supplementation of EOB tended to decrease milk total bacterial and somatic cell counts when compared to the control group. The supplementation of EOB at both doses increased serum total protein (p ≤ 0.02) and globulin (p ≤ 0.05), and decreased cholesterol level (p ≤ 0.001) and creatinine (p ≤ 0.001) as compared to the control group. Furthermore, the results show that the low dose of EOB had more desirable effects on milk yield, milk total bacterial count, milk somatic cell count, and feed efficiency than the high dose, suggesting that lower doses may not inhibit rumen microbial populations. Moreover, the low doses of EOB could be used as sustainable natural alternatives to antibiotics in livestock diets.

The present study aimed to alleviate the negative effects of the peripartum and postpartum periods on the timing of ovarian follicle development, milk composition, as well as blood and metabolic profiles due to Nigella sativa (N. sativa) supplementation. Twenty-seven pregnant Ardi goats were classified using a randomized complete design into three groups: a control group and two N. sativa groups (10.0 and 20.0 g N. sativa seeds per kg diet). Productive and reproductive performances, in addition to blood and metabolic profiles, were investigated and compared using Duncan’s multiple test. N. sativa supplementation increased dry matter intake and body weight. Ruminal pH and total bacterial counts were increased versus a decreased total protozoal count due to N. sativa inclusion. Additionally, N. sativa supplementation increased the concentration of protein, lactose, solids not fat, fat, and ash in milk. Pulse rates were the lowest (p < 0.05) in the N. sativa group and the partial pressure of oxygen was the lowest in the control group. Red and white blood cells and their related parameters (hemoglobin, hematocrit, neutrophils, and lymphocytes) showed significant increases due to N. sativa inclusion. Total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, and minerals (calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium) values were higher (p < 0.05) in the N. sativa group. Lower concentrations of blood urea nitrogen were found in N. sativa groups compared to control one. In conclusion, N. sativa inclusion from 4 weeks prepartum to 4 weeks postpartum of Ardi goats modified productive and reproductive performances without any adverse effects on blood and metabolic profiles.

Background: The antioxidant micronutrients supplementation to mammalian species during stressful condition have gained great attention of nutritionists to alleviate stressful peri parturient factors, which negatively effect on productive and reproductive performances in subtropics. Methods: The antioxidant micronutrients given to mammalian species refer to minerals (copper, zinc and selenium) and vitamins (vitamins A, C and E). The balanced diet needs an adequate amount of antioxidant micronutrients during stressful conditions for mammalian species. Result: The antioxidant micronutrients are played pivotal roles for body functions especially during transitional period in ruminants. They are given to improve quality of feed, cell functions, carbohydrates, protein and metabolism. Changes in animals’ production, reproduction and therapeutic performances have been confirmed over antioxidant micronutrients supplementations. The antioxidant micronutrients change feed intake, nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation and energy production. Such increases in feed digestibility and growth performance resulted in improvement of oocyte, embryo and fetus qualities. In addition, blood cells and plasma biochemistry, immunity and therapeutic performances were altered due to antioxidant micronutrient supplementation. Hence, the review article was designed to collect, consolidate and discuss the effects of antioxidant micronutrient supplementation on productive, reproductive and therapeutic performances on ruminant species during transitional period in subtropics.

A 70-day feeding trial was performed to assess the effect of feeding a mixture of functional feed supplements (FFS; contains encapsulated cinnamaldehyde, condensed tannins, capsaicin, piperine, and curcumin) during mid-lactation on the milk production and composition, feed intake, and blood profile of multiparous dairy cows. Sixty Holstein dairy cows (116.1 ± 17.1 days in milk, 606 ± 9.3 kg BW, and 45.73 ± 6.7 kg/d milk production) were distributed into two trial groups: control (CON: n = 30), which received a basal diet; and FFS (n = 30) treatment, which received a basal diet fortified with the FFS at a rate of 35 g/day/head. The results revealed that daily milk production (p = 0.01) and solids-not-fat yield (p = 0.05) were significantly higher in dairy cows that had received FFS compared with the control group. In addition, the 3.5% fat-corrected milk, energy-corrected milk, lactose and protein yields, and milk energy output tended to be higher (p ≤ 0.10) in dairy cattle that consumed FFS during the experimental period. Significant treatment x period interactions were identified (p ≤ 0.02) with respect to feed efficiency and somatic cell count. Dry matter intake tended to be greater (p = 0.064) in dairy cattle that consumed FFS during weeks 0–2 and 2–4 of the trial period. Most serum biochemical parameters were not changed (p ≥ 0.114) between FFS and control cows. However, a greater concentration of serum albumin (p = 0.007) was observed in cows fed diets supplemented with FFS. In summary, supplementing FFS to lactating Holstein cows during mid-lactation was associated with enhanced lactation performance, feed efficiency, and a tendency to increase feed intake, with no obvious adverse effects.

Background: The feed supplements to ruminant animals have gained great attention of nutritionists to improve feed utilization, growth and reproductive performances during the past decades. Methods: The animals feed supplements were classified into nutrient and non-nutrient feed additives. They include substances, micro-organisms or preparations. The feed supplements and their purified constituents were fed to give animals’ nutritional requirements and to improve the quality of feed and animal products. Result: Changes in animals’ production, reproduction and therapeutic performances have been confirmed over feeding supplements. Numerous purified components include β-carotene, antioxidant and others. The supplements change feed intake, nutrient digestibility and rumen fermentation products. Such enhancements in feed utilization and growth performances resulted in improvements of oocytes, embryos and feti quality. Furthermore, blood corpuscles and plasma parameters, immunity and therapeutic performances were altered due to feeding supplements. Hence, the current review article was designed to collect, consolidate and discuss the effects of feed supplements on productive, reproductive and therapeutic performances on mammalian species.

Background: Forskolin, an active compound extracted from the Coleus forskohlii plant, has a wide range of potential functions including losses of body weight, improves diabetes and improves cardiovascular health. Methods: Thirty sex albino mice, growing and adult males and females were classified into two groups; control group (G1) fed basal control diet versus C. forskolin group fed basal control diet containing C. forskolin leaves (G2; 1.5%) for four weeks. Changes of body and liver weight were recorded. Rectal temperature and glucose values were determined. In addition, blood samples were collected and were subjected for serum biochemistry analysis. Result: The results indicated that C. forskolin caused significant decrease (P less than 0.05) in body weight and glucose values in addition to significant increase (P less than 0.05) in rectal temperature. In addition, serum biochemistry parameters (total protein, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine transferases, lactate dehydrogenase) were changed due to C. forskolin compared to control diet. It could be concluded that 1.5% C. forskolin supplementation modulates thermo-tolerance responses, blood glucose indices and serum metabolites.