Effect of Subcutaneous Administration of a Phytogenic Aqueous Extract on the Performance of Holstein Cows

The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of subcutaneous administration of a phytogenic extract on performance of cows. Nine mid-lactation Holstein cows (mean BW: 464 kg; 90–120 days in milk) were blocked according to their daily milk production and utilised in a 3 × 3 Latin square design with experimental period lasting for 21 days. The herbal extract (0, 5, and 10 ml in T₀, T₁ and T₂, respectively) was subcutaneously administered weekly. The results showed that DMI (kg/d) was lowered (P<0.05) in T₁ (13.14) and T₂ (14.34) than T₀ (15.09). However, digestibility (%) of DM was higher (P<0.05) in T₁ (76.77) followed by T₂ (75.66) and T₀ (74.88). Furthermore, no statistical difference was observed for milk production, composition as well as body weight changes. Hence, it was concluded that the subcutaneous administration of a phytogenic extract did not exhibit any significant changes in the productive parameters of mid-lactating Holstein cows.