Dietary Moringa oleifera Alters Periparturient Plasma and Milk Biochemical Indicators and Promotes Productive Performance in Goats

Authors：Afzal, Ali; Hussain, Tarique^*; Hameed, Amjad; Shahzad, Muhammad; Mazhar, Muhammad Usman; Yang, Guan

Source：Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2022, 8: 787719.

DOI：10.3389/fvets.2021.787719

• Moringa oleifera
• plasma biochemistry
• antioxidant status
• milk composition
• productive performance
• goat

The purpose of the current study was to explore the supplementing effects of Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MOLP) on plasma and milk biochemical indices and productive/reproductive performance of goats. A total of 30 healthy pregnant goats were randomly distributed (n = 10) into three experimental groups: control (M-0) group (basal diet without MOLP), M-2% group (basal diet + 2% MOLP), and M-3.5% group (basal diet + 3.5% MOLP). The experiment started 2 months before parturition and continued till the first month of lactation. The plasma flavonoids were significantly increased in the M-3.5% group during the entire experiment, whereas the total phenolic contents were enhanced only during the lactation period depending on the supplementation percentage. The amount of vitamin C increased significantly in M-2% and M-3.5% groups as compared to the M-0 group. Supplementation of MOLP improved the plasma total antioxidant capacity by declining malondialdehyde concentration and total oxidant status values. The activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase enzymes were modified in M-2% and M-3.5% supplemented groups throughout the experiment, while the catalase activity was significantly influenced only during the lactation stage. The protein and lycopene contents in plasma were significantly improved in the M-3.5% group, whereas the total sugars and carotenoid level was increased in both M-2% and M-3.5% groups. Dietary supplementation with 3.5% MOLP more effectively enhanced protease and amylase activities as compared to 2% supplementation. MOLP also improved the biochemical indices and antioxidant status of colostrum and milk. The milk yield, weight gain of the kids, and reproductive performance were high in M-2% and M-3.5% groups in comparison to the M-0 group. These findings disclose that supplementing the diet with 3.5% MOLP improves antioxidant status, milk yield, and reproductive performance in goats.