To study the effects of Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on milk performance, antioxidant capacity and immunity of dairy cattle, twenty healthy lactating Holstein cows were randomly divided into four groups (A, B, C and D) and supplemented with 0, 50, 100 and 150 g/d of TCM, respectively. The temperature-humidity index (THI) and milk yield were recorded. The mRNA expression of GSH-Px, CAT, Bcl-2 and p53 genes was detected using RT-PCR. Meanwhile, the apoptosis rate of lymphocytes was determined through flow-cytometry. The results showed that the THI exceeded 72 during all experimental periods. Compared to group A (10.66±0.75 Kg), the milk yields of the cattle in group B, C and D were increased by 20.26 (P<0.05), 24.20 (P<0.05) and 16.98% (P>0.05), respectively. The somatic cell count in three treatment groups was lower than those in group A by 21.68 (P<0.05), 29.88 (P<0.05) and 24.22% (P<0.05), in group B, C and D respectively. The mean expression of GSH-Px and CAT genes were increased in groups B, C and D. The apoptosis rates of lymphocytes in the three treatment groups on the 40^th day were lower than that of the control group by 27.45 (P<0.01), 27.36 (P<0.01) and 24.55% (P<0.01) in group B, C and D, respectively. The mean expression of Bcl-2 gene in groups B, C and D was increased, and the mean expression of p53 gene was decreased in three treatment groups. Thus, it is concluded that TCM can improve milk performance, antioxidant capacity and immune status of dairy cattle under heat stress, which can help dairy cattle to resist heat stress in hot seasons.

To Cite This Article: Hu Y, Zou Z, Ye S, Luo J and Liu P, 2018. Effects of traditional chinese medicines on the milk performance, antioxidant capacity and immune status of dairy cattle. Pak Vet J, 38(4): 399-403. http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2018.085