Effects of Supplementation of Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi) on Lactation Parameters in Murrah Buffaloes during Winter Season

To study the effect of supplementation of Tinospora cordifolia on production parameters of lactating Murrah buffaloes, twelve lactating Murrah buffaloes in early stage of lactation were divided into two groups of six animals each. One group served as control whereas in treatment group Tinospora cordifolia was supplemented @ 120 g/animal/day in addition to control diet up to 75th day of lactation. Results showed that milk yield was significantly (P<0.05) increased by 10% in treatment group as compared to control group. The milk somatic cell counts were significantly reduced in treatment group (1.39 x 10⁶) as compared to control (1.52 x10⁶). The DMI showed an increasing trend with significant difference from day 35 up to day 75 of lactation between control and treatment. The milk protein (%) was significantly higher in treatment group whereas the rest of the milk parameters were comparable in both the treatment groups. There was no significant difference observed in milk total Ig in control and treatment. It is concluded that supplementation of Tinospora cordifolia increased dry matter intake, milk production, milk protein (%) and reduced somatic cell count during winter season.