Evaluation of Biochemical and Hematological Parameters in Postpartum Holstein Dairy Cows Following Supplementation of Immunofin® Herbal Extract

BACKGROUND: The incidence of diseases among dairy cows is high in the postpartum period, which reduces dairy enterprise and higher demands for antibiotics. Considering this, the notion of promoting heath and reducing antibiotic application in dairy cow medicine by taking advantages of bioactive phytochemicals in herbal extracts is emerging. OBJECTIVES: This study s main purpose was to investigate the effects of supplementing Holstein dairy cows ration in the close-up period by Immunofin® polyherbal aqueous extract on the normal physiology, clinical health, and hematological and biochemical parameters of postpartum dairy cows. METHODS: In this experiment, the herbal extract was supplemented in a close-up period diet for cows in the treatment group (n=10). However, cows in the control group (n=10) received precisely the same ratio as the placebo. The clinical health of cows was assessed, and some of their biochemical and hematological parameters were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Cows in the treatment group had a lower incidence of retained fetal membrane and metritis (P=0.01). In addition, cows in the treatment group had a lower concentration of serum nonesterified fatty acid (P 0.001), and a lower number of peripheral blood leukocytes and lymphocytes count among cows in the treatment group (P 0.0001). In contrast, their mean corpuscular hemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume were higher (P 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, Immunofin® supplementation in a close-up period had no negative impacts on prepartum cows clinical health and could desirably alter some of the clinical, biochemical and hematological parameters.