Vol. 9, Issue 9 (2020)

Author(s):
Juri Barkakati and Dhruba Jyoti Kalita

Abstract:
The present investigation was undertaken to study the alteration in the haematological profile of pregnant crossbred cows after feeding them with some local herbs/leave and Restobal. Twelve multiparous pregnant crossbred cows (Jersey X Non descriptive local cows) of Assam were selected for the experiment which was divided into five groups. Group I was control without any treatment and Group II was fed Neem leaves (Azadirachta indica) the last three months of pregnancy to three months after parturition. Group III was fed with bogori leaves (Zizyphus mauritiana) orally. Group IV and group V were fed bamboo leaves and Restobal, a commercially available polyherbal preparation respectively daily from the last three months of pregnancy to three months after parturition. The RBC count ranged from (10⁶/µl) 6.32 ± 0.04 to 7.10± 0.06 in the control group, 6.44 ± 0.05 to 7.35 ± 0.07 in group II, 6.30±0.01 to 6.64 ± 0.15 in group III, 6.34 ± 0.05 to 7.17 ± 0.12 in group IV and 6.39 ± 0.05 to 6.68 ± 0.12 in group V. A significant increase in the level of RBC count in group II on the day of calving (P < 0.01) and 15 days prior to parturition (P < 0.001) and till 45 days after parturition as compared to the control group might be due to the effect of feeding the animals with Neem leaves. Group IV animals those were given Restobal also showed an increase in the overall mean RBC count than that of the control group. The level of hemoglobin ranged from 10.05 ± 0.145 to 11.23 ± 0.236 (gm/dl) in the group I (control), 10.08 ± 0.189 to 11.24 ± 0.244 in group II, 10.33± 0.167 to 11.67 ±0.134 in group III, 10.42 ± 0.31 to 11.15 ± 0.405 in group IV and 10.22 ± 0.26 to 11.25 ± 0.245 in Group V during the experimental period. All the groups showed an apparent rise in the level of haemoglobin than that of control group. Analysis of variance has shown that overall mean of WBC count in Group II and III were found to be higher than that of the control group but the increase was not significant. Group III animals that were fed with Bogori leaves also showed a non significant increase in the WBC count than the control group. From the present study it can be concluded that the locally available medicinal herbs/leaves and Restobal did not have any deleterious effect on the animals during their transition period and their supplementation might be helpful in the maintenance of pregnancy and lactation.