Effect of Essential Oils on Nutrient Utilization and Microbial Protein Synthesis in Lactating Crossbred Cows

A digestion trial was conducted during a lactation trial to evaluate the effects of garlic oil and garlic-origanum oil combination on nutrient utilization in lactating crossbred cows. Eighteen cows were distributed randomly into three equal groups according to their milk production. The cows in all the three groups were fed with 50:50 (concentrate: roughage) diet. The animals in treatment 1 (T₁) and treatment 2 (T₂) were supplemented with garlic and garlic-origanum oil combination, respectively. The treatments did not affect nutrient digestibility, digestible nutrient intake, plane of nutrition and microbial protein synthesis in lactating cows.