Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge

Vol. 13 (2), April 2014, pp. 404-408

Effect of Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) on milk production and Immune-

modulation in Karan Fries crossbred cows
Santosh Kumar1, R K Mehla1 & Mahendra Singh*2
1
Livestock Production and Management Section, *Animal Physiology,
National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal -132 001, Haryana, India
E-mail: chhokar.ms@gmail.com

Received 29.11.12, revised 25.02.13

The effects of prepartum, Shatavari root powder supplementation on postpartum dry matter intake (DMI), plasma
metabolites, milk production, composition and reproductive performance was studied in cross bred cows. Advance pregnant
cows were divided based on most probable milk production ability, body weight and parity into a control non-supplemented,
NS group (n=5) and an experimental Shatavari supplemented, ARS group (n=5). ARS group cows were fed Shatavari root
power@100 mg/kg live body weight once in the morning from -60 days till parturition, while NS group cows served as
control. The milk yield was significantly more (P<0.01) in ARS group than the NS group. Colostrum protein, total solids,
SNF (P<0.05) and total immunoglobulin level was higher (P<0.01) in ARS group in comparison to NS group. Cows of ARS
group took less time to expel placental membranes (P<0.05) and had less service period and service/ conception (P<0.05)
than the NS group. It was concluded that prepartum supplementation of Shatavari significantly increased milk yield, colostrums
total immunoglobulin and reduced total milk cholesterol, service period and service/conception in ensuing lactation.

Keywords: Shatavari, Prepartum, Milk yield, Composition, Reproduction, Economics

IPC Int. Cl.8: A61K 36/00, A01K, G01N 33/04, A23C 9/00, A61D 19/00, C07K

Prepartum nutritional management and energy status
of a dairy cow determines the postpartum
productivity, health status of dairy cows and the birth
weight of newborns1,2. The nutritional avoidance
during dry period adversely affects milk production,
reproduction in ensuing lactation and renders animals
susceptible to diseases and disorders around calving
and thereafter3,4. During this transition phase pregnant
animal undergo endocrine, metabolic and other
physiological adjustments that lead to increased
energy requirements and may cause reduction in body
weight of aimals5. Hormones and other additives have
been used to augment milk production but their use is
limited due to residual effects in body and milk6,7.
Shatavari , an important herbal medicinal plant of
tropical and sub-tropical regions in India, has
medicine importance due to presence of steroidal
saponins, sapogenins and phytochemicals8. Shatavari
has galactagogue and mammogenic function through
enhancing blood prolactin and cellular division in
mammary gland to augment lactation9. Shatavari use
during pregnancy improves indigestion, acidity
——————
*Corresponding author
disorders, quality of milk and immunity of both
mother and foetus. Traditionally, Shatavari root
powder are used for the treatment of productive,
reproductive and udder ailment of livestock in several
parts of India9,10,11,21. However, scientific literature on
the beneficial effect of Shatavari feeding in dairy
cows is lacking. Considering its importance, the
present study was undertaken to determine the effect
of prepartum supplementation of Shatavari root
powder on milk production and reproductive
performance in ensuing lactation in crossbred cows.
Methodology
Asparagus racemosus Willd. (Satavar, Shatavari,
or Shatamull) is a species of Asparagus common
throughout Sri Lanka, India and the Himalayas. It
grows 1-2 m tall and prefers to take root in gravelly,
rocky soils high up in piedmont plains, at 1,300–1,400
m elevation. It was botanically described in 1799.
Due to its multiple uses, the demand for Asparagus
racemosus is constantly on the rise. Due to destructive
harvesting, combined with habitat destruction, and
deforestation, the plant is now considered
'endangered' in its natural habitat.
 KUMAR et al.: EFFECT OF SHATAVARI ON ANIMAL PRODUCTIVITY 405

Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari) is recommended milk SCC score was calculated12. Reproduction
in Ayurvedic texts for the prevention and treatment of parameters such as service period (days), number of
gastric ulcers, dyspepsia and as a galactogogue. services/conception, incidence of reproductive
A. racemosus has also been used by some Ayurvedic disorders and postpartum incidence of oestrus, uterus
practitioners for nervous disorders. Shatawari has health and uterine involution were recorded on 7, 14,
different names in the different Indian languages, 21, 28 35 and 42 days postpartum13. Jugular blood
such as Shatuli, Vrishya and other terms. In Nepal, it samples were collected in heparinised (20 IU heparin/ml
is called Kurilo. The name Shatawari means "curer of blood) tubes at monthly interval upto 90 days
a hundred diseases" (shat: "hundred"; vari: "curer") postpartum. Plasma glucose (O-Toluidine method),
Experiment was conducted on healthy advance protein (analytical kit, M/S Erba Mannnheim GmbH)
pregnant cross bred 10 cows which were managed and urea (Span Diagnostic kit Co.) were estimated. The
in an asbestos roof shed in accordance with the cost benefit ratio was calculated based on total cost of
approval of Institutional Animal Ethics Committee Shatavari (A. Racemosus) fed prepartum and increase in
(project No. B14). Cows were divided randomly milk yield. Statistical analysis of data was carried out by
according to most probable production ability least squares analysis (ANOVA). Student ‘t’ test was
(MPPA), parity, body weight into two groups, viz. employed to estimate the effect of treatment on
control- non-supplement, NS (MPPA 3841.0 ± 83.83, reproductive performance14.
parity 2.6 ± 1.12, body weight 434.02 ± 33.35 kg) and
A. racemosus supplement, ARS, (MPPA 3821.2 ± Results
96.78, parity 1.8 ± 0.8, initial body weight Milk production and composition
442.8±25.29 kg). A. racemosus (Shatavari) root The increase in body weight gain (P>0.05) and body
powder (M/S Raj Chemicals, Neemach, MP; Price Rs. weight change/day was more (P<0.05) in ARS group in
105/kg)) was fed to ARS group cows @100 mg/kg comparison to NS group (Table 1). The time taken to
live body weight once in the morning from -60 days expel the placenta was more in NS group (P<0.05) than
till parturition. During prepartum period cows were the ARS group, but weight of placenta varied non-
fed chaffed green sorghum [Sorghum bicolour (L.) significantly (Table 2). Average colostrum protein,
Moench] and concentrate mixture (3.5 kg/day/cow). total solids and total immunoglobulin level was more
After parturition all cows received berseem (Trifolium (P<0.05) in ARS group than the NS group (Fig. 1).
alexandrinum L.) and wheat straw as a roughage and
concentrate in ratio of 55:45. DM content of forage
and left over was determined to calculate the daily
DMI and analysis of feed samples was carried out.
During the experiment period of 150 days cows were
milked at 4:30, 12:30 and 19:30 hrs by machine. The
calf weaning was practiced immediately after
parturition and calves were fed as per NDRI feeding
schedule. The milk yields were recorded daily and
milk samples were analyzed for fat, protein, SNF,
total solids (Lacto Star Analyzer) and milk total
cholesterol19. Weekly MCMT score and fortnightly Fig: 1—Total milk immunoglobulin levels in ARS and NS group cows.
Table 1—Prepartum body weight change in control (NS) and Experimental (ARS) Karan Fries cows
Groups Initial body Body weight Total Body Body weight Gestation Calf Birth Total Body Calf weight Body
weight (Kg) before weight change change/d (kg) period (day) weight (kg) wt. loss at % parturition weight of
parturition (kg) (kg) Parturition loss calf
(kg) (% cows
weight)
a
Control 434.02 ± 458.1± 24.09a± 280.2 ± 29.00± 50.90 ± 57.36 ± 6.46 ±
(NS) 33.35 30.46 5.52 0.403 ± 0.41 2.86 5.15 3.70 0.78
0.10
b b
Experimenta 442.8 ± 478.9 ± 0.94 36.16 ± 277.2 ± 0.43 26.72 ± 67.30 ± 49.01 ± 5.65 ±
l (ARS) 25.29 7.19 0.627 ± 0.88 11.29 4.41 0.34
0.16
Means with different superscripts a, b differ in a column (P<0.05)
406 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL. 13, NO. 2 APRIL 2014

Table 2—Weight of placenta, time required for expulsion of placenta, retention of fetal membrane and body weight changes during
colostrum phase in control (NS) and Experimental (ARS) Karan Fries cows
Groups Weight of Time required for RFM (No) Incidence of Body weight just after Total body weight Body weight loss
placenta (kg) expulsion of twin+ dystocia parturition (kg) loss of cows during (kg/day)
placenta (h) (No) colostrum period
(kg)
Control (NS) 3.94 ±0.34 5.4a ± 1.10 3 0 407.20 ± 21.38 18.80 ±9.56 3.76 ± 1.91
Experimental 3.94 ±0.28 3.30b ± 0.3 2 1, 1 411.60 ±8.14 20.60 ± 6.12 4.12 ± 1.22
(ARS)
Mean with different superscripts a, b differ in a column differ (P<0.05).

Table 3—Overall average DMI, milk yield and composition in

control (NS) and Experimental (ARS) Karan Fries cows
Parameters NS ARS
DM intake (kg/day) during 90
13.00 ± 0.26 12.79±0.28
days lactation
DM intake (kg/day) during 90 -
13.25 ± 0.37 13.32±0.36
150 day of lactation
Feed efficiency during 90 days of
0.74a± 0.03 0.64b±0.02
lactation
Feed efficiency during 90 - 150
0.75±0.04 0.70±0.03
day lactation
4% FCM yield (kg/day) during a b
90 days lactation 20.07 ±0.22 21.51 ±0.22
Fig: 2—Postpartum milk production in ARS and NS group cows.
4% FCM yield (kg/day) during a b
The respective values of first milking was 21.29±1.39 90 - 150 day lactation 16.56 ±0.19 19.18 ±0.19
vs.18.31± 0.73 %, 29.40 ± 2.39 vs. 26.3 ± 0.63 % and Fat % during 90 days lactation 4.19 ± 0.18 4.34 ± 0.25
108.72 ±19.87 vs.135.62 ± 30.20 mg/ml. The ARS Fat % during 90 - 150 day
4.22 ± 0.04 4.29 ± 0.07
group cows produced significantly higher (P<0.01) lactation
amount of milk and exhibited higher feed conversion Protein % during 90 days
3.38 ± 0.09 3.45 ± 0.05
lactation
efficiency (P<0.05) than the NS group cows (Fig. 2;
Protein % during 90 to 150 day
Table 3). Average daily milk yield increased lactation
3.31 ± 0.02 3.32 ± 0.04
significantly (P<0.01) by 15.82 % in ARS group than Lactose % during 90 days
4.98 ± 0.11 4.90 ± 0.06
the NS group cows from day 90 to 150 of lactation. lactation
Daily milk yield (4% FCM)/ animal/day during 90 Lactose % during 90 to 150 day
4.57 ± 0.06 4.58 ± 0.07
days of lactation were higher by 7.17 % in ARS group lactation
SNF % during 90 days lactation 8.68 ± 0.16 8.96 ± 0.10
over the control (Table 3). Milk SNF and total solids
SNF % during 90 - 150 day
were significantly (P<0.05) higher in ARS group, lactation
8.68 ± 0.02 8.68 ± 0.08
however milk protein and fat content was not Total solids % during 90 days a b
12.87 ± 0.24 13.30 ± 0.29
influenced. The shatavari feeding significantly lactation
reduced (P<0.05) total milk cholesterol in ARS group Total solids % during 90 - 150
12.91 ± 0.07 12.91± 0.18
in comparison to NS group (415.0±25.4 vs. 395.8 day lactation
Service period (days) 151.01 ±20.97 100.40b±20.97
a
±28.9 mg/100 gm) during 90 days of lactation.
Services per conception 2.80a ±0.57 1.80b±0.57
Reproductive performance and Plasma metabolites Means with different superscripts a, b differ in a row (P<0.05)
Service period and service/conception was reduced
(P<0.05) in ARS group than the NS group while other Economics of milk production
parameters was not influenced (Table 3). Plasma Prepartum A. racemosus supplementation caused
protein was higher (P<0.05) in ARS (5.97 ± 0.39 extra cost of Rs 2.07 /day/animal and increased
gm/dL) than NS group (5.24 ± 0.18 gm/dL). Plasma 2.19 kg fat corrected milk (4%) yield/day.
total cholesterol was less in ARS group than the NS Increased milk yield/day reduced the cost of milk
group (291.70± 21.90 vs. 309.30 ± 22.0 mg/dL). production/lit. and increased the net return/liter of
Average daily weight gain was higher (P<0.05; 285 milk significantly (P<0.05). Total income return was
vs. 375 gm/d) in calves born from ARS cows than the significantly (P<0.05) higher by Rs 29.05/day/cow
NS group upto 60 days of age. upto 150 day of lactation.
 KUMAR et al.: EFFECT OF SHATAVARI ON ANIMAL PRODUCTIVITY
Discussion
In the present study, prepartum deceases in DMI
was due to fetus occupying most of the space in
abdominal cavity, causing pressure on the rumen and
thereby the DM intake of animal was reduced15. The
increased body weight during prepartum period in
ARS group cows could be attributed to anabolic
effect of A. racemosus16, 17. The cows of both groups
delivered normal calves further suggests no adverse
effect of feeding of A. racemosus on health of cows
and neonate calves. The supplementation of A.
racemosus during prepartum dry period tended to
improve body energy reserves and immune status
leading to more milk production inspite of similar
DMI after parturition and corroborates earlier
report9,16,18. In this study Shatavari feeding modulated
blood total immunoglobulin concentration resulting in
higher colostrum immunoglobulin and improved
immunity of colostral fed calves19. The reduction in
milk fat total cholesterol was modulated by A.
racemosus through its blood cholesterol lowering
properties and corroborates earlier reports in mice,
rat and buffaloes5,20. The results of A. racemosus
supplementation and its effects in influencing the
early growth performance of calves is in agreement
with earlier studies that have demonstrated a positive
impact of maternal nutrition and body condition on
the birth weight of neonate calves3. The significant
increase in milk yield without significant increase in
postpartum DMI renders AR use more economic as
evidence from a cost benefit ratio of 1:5.90. In view
of this fact, more intensive studies needs to be under
taken on large number of animals under field
conditions to make this knowledge traditionally
applicable for improving animal productivity and
profitability of dairy farmers.
Traditional significance of study to
society/farmers/researchers and recommendations
Asparagus racemosus (Asparagaceae) is an
important medicinal plant of tropical and subtropical
India. Its medicinal usage has been reported in the
Indian and British Pharmacopoeias and in traditional
systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Unani and
Siddha. Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) is being
cultivated by the tribal farmers and could play a key
role in sustaining the higher productivity of dairy
animals under natural grazing system. However
information on use of shatavari in augmenting the
animal productivity as a whole is very limited in stall
407
fed animals being managed in organized farms and
by progressive dairy farmers. The later needs to be
made more knowledgeable about the beneficial
effect of A. recemosus for the welfare of livestock’s.
This fact is important as growth and milk production
of stall fed animals, which contribute significantly in
sustaining the higher productivity, could be
improved. Asparagus racemosus have
phytoestrogenic properties which could be helpful in
growth and development of mammary gland of the
dairy cows during pregnancy, but no information is
available on this aspect. With an increasing
realization that hormone replacement therapy with
synthetic oestrogens is neither as safe nor as
effective as previously envisaged, the use of herbal
supplements like shatavari has vast potential for its
application in animal husbandry and dairy sector.
Cultivation of shatavari can be useful for the small
and medium dairy farmers and cultivators in
developed state like Haryana, UP and Punjab etc
which contribute significantly in total milk
production. It is recommended that medicinal value
of milk from animals fed with shatavari needs to be
analyzed for secretion of bioactive components, if
any. In addition, a clear cut recommendation of
shatavari dose as an ingredient in animal ration
needs to be worked out for growing, dry, pregnant
and lactating dairy animals.
Conclusion
Pre-partum supplementation of Shatavari root
powder significantly improved postpartum animal
productivity by enhancing milk production, total milk
immunogloblulins and reduced the service period and
services/conception and was cost effective.
Acknowledgement
The authors are thankful to the Director, National
Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana for
providing the necessary facilities to conduct the study.
Thanks are also due to all the staff of laboratory for
help in analysis of milk and plasma samples.
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