Effect of dietary supplementation of Shatavari on productive performance and fertility of crossbred cows

The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the effect of dietary supplementation of Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) on milk yield, raw milk constituent indices and fertility of crossbred cows. Twenty healthy lactating crossbred cows with a close date of calving were randomly divided into two equal groups for control group (CG; n = 10) and supplemented group: Shatavari root powder 50 gm/cow/d (SG; n = 12) from 7 days post partum (dpp) until 90 dpp. Statistically analyzed data revealed that significantly (P<0.005) higher fortnightly milk yield from 45 to 90 dpp was found in the SG (10.735 to 12.396 kg/day) compared to the CG (9.802 to 10.541 kg/day). Differences in the fortnightly raw milk composition related to percent of milk fat, milk protein and milk lactose of both CG and SG cows were nonsignificant (P>0.005), but only fortnightly percent of milk solid not-fat from 45 to 90 dpp in SG cows (9.254 to 9.446%) than over to CG cows (8.877 to 8.999%) and percent of milk total solids from 60 to 90 dpp cows in SG (13.078 to 13.727%) than that cows in CG (12.617 to 12.648%) were significantly (P<0.005) higher. Occurrence of first post partum estrus interval was reduced significantly (P<0.005) in supplemented Shatavari group (SG: 52 dpp) compared to control group (CG: 77 dpp) cows. In this study, it was observed that the overall conception rate was higher (P<0.005) in SG: 60% (cows pregnant: 6/10) than CONT-group: 20% (cows pregnant: 2/10). The results of this study indicated that dietary supplementation of Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) increased the milk yield, raw milk solid not-fat, milk total solids and improved fertility of crossbred cows.