Effect of Using Echinacea Extract as Immuno-stimulating Additive on Milk Yield Traits, Immunity and Udder Health of Zaraibi Goats | ||||
| Egyptian Journal of Sheep and Goats Sciences | ||||
| Article 6, Volume 4, Issue 2, August 2009, Page 1-20 PDF (475.75 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejsgs.2009.27664 | ||||
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| Authors | ||||
| Doaa, F. Teleb1, 2; U. M. El-Saied1, 3; A. A. Sallam1, 2; Azza M. El-Baz1, 4; A. M. Hussein1, 5 | ||||
| 1Animal Production Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.+ | ||||
| 2Sheep & Goat Research Department. | ||||
| 3Cattle Breeding Research Department. | ||||
| 4Dairy Microbiology Research Department. | ||||
| 5Biotechnology Research Department. | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| ABSTRACT This study was performed to investigate the effect of using Echinacea extract, as immuno-stimulating feed additive, on milk production, milk composition, udder health and immune response of Zaraibi goats. Milk samples were collected at mid-lactation from half udder of Zaraibi goats flock. Animals with high somatic cell counts (SCC > 1.5 × 10-6) were diagnosed as sub-clinically infected with mastitis. Forty lactating does were chosen out of the flock and grouped equally (20 does in each) according to health status of the udder. Each group was divided into 2 sub- groups (A and B) as healthy and (C and D) as infected. Immulant pills containing Echinacea purpurea extract were given orally once daily over two weeks to the does in groups B and C (525 mg/day) and twice daily to the does in group D (1050 mg/ day). Milk and blood samples were collected from all animals before, during and after the treatment. Results showed that the overall LS mean of log SCC in infected does (6.2) was significantly higher than that in non-infected one (5.8). Log SCC decreased significantly during supplementation with Echinacea extract. LSM of milk protein, total solid and solid not fat% were significantly affected by parity number with the highest levels observed in the sixth parity. LSM of fat, protein, total solid and solid not fat % were significantly higher in milk of does received different doses of Echinacea extract (B, C and D) than those of the control group (A). However, their levels remained within the normal ranges recorded for goats. Serum albumin and γ-globulin levels were significantly affected by health status of udder half and supplementation with Echinacea extract. All treated groups (B, C and D) showed higher globulin level during the experimental period than the non-treated group. Serum total protein and globulin levels increased significantly at the 2nd week during the treatment. Electrophoresis pattern of goats' serum total protein showed that changes of serum γ-globulin levels were parallel to those of serum total protein and globulin. The use of Echinacea extract as immuno-stimulating feed additive to achieve beneficial changes in health of the mammary gland, improves goat immune response, and improves the hygienic and health- promoting quality of milk is recommended. The results suggest the use of the lower level of Echinacea extract (525 mg/day/ head) in order to get better economic return. | ||||
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