Somministrazione di due antiossidanti naturali alla bovina nel periparto: effetti sui parametri quali-quantitativi del latte e sullo stato ossidativo del siero

Objective was to test silymarin + lycopene (Indena S.p.A.) in transient cows, in a period when oxidative stress can impair health status. Silymarin is a hepatoprotective and antioxidant substance which has shown a positive effect on productivity and health in transition cows. Lycopene is a scavanger of oxygen radicals. 20 cows selected according to parity, previous production and BCS, were divided into two groups. From 7 d before expected date of calving to 14 d after calving, 10 cows received 50 g/d of a mixture of silymarin + lycopene by oral drench. Milk production was recorded daily for 305 d and samples were collected at 7, 14 and 21 DIM. The BCS was evaluated at –7, 0, 7, 14, 21d from calving. Body weight was recorded at 0, 21 and 30d after calving. Blood samples were collected at –7, 0 and 14 d from calving to evaluate anti-oxidant power (OXY) and reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs) in sera with two colorimetric micromethods. Treatment increased milk production. The a, b and c parameters from Wood equation of both lactation curves showed significant differences (P < .05), on average 2.5 kg/d for each animal. No difference was found in BCS and body weight between groups. Protein, fat, lactose and urea content in milk was not influenced by treatment. No inhibent activity was detected in milk. Somatic cell count (SCC) was lower in treated animals. The values were significantly different at 14 and 21 DIM (respectively 337700 vs. 62625 and 261500 vs. 66333; P < .05). At the start of trial (-7d) a lower OXY level (expressed in M HClO neutralized by serum) was found in the treated group. Antioxidant treatment significantly increased this value at calving (P < .05). No variations were found in the control group in all the considered days. No differences were found in ROMs values (expressed in mM H2O2) considering treatment and day effect (P > .05). These results suggest that silymarin + lycopene treatment increases milk production and may have an effect on udder health.