Vol. 11, Issue 12 (2022)

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of sunflower oil supplementation on hemato-biochemical profile of lactating Kankrej cows. Thirty lactating Kankrej cows (20 days post-partum) were assigned randomly into three groups (10 cows per group). The three groups were as T₁: Basal diet, T₂: Basal diet + 125 ml/animal/day of sunflower oil supplementation and T₃: Basal diet + 250 ml/animal/day of sunflower oil supplementation. The duration of experiment was of 90 days. The blood samples were collected at the start (0 day) and end (90th day) of experimental feeding. The mean hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit values were comparable (p>0.05) among the treatment groups. There was no effect (p>0.05) on red blood cells count (erythrocytes, MCV, MCH and MCHC) caused by the dietary addition of sunflower oil. White blood cell count (leucocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes and eosinophils) was not influenced (p>0.05) by the supplementation of sunflower oil. The initial serum concentrations of estimated blood biochemical parameters were without any significant (p>0.05) difference across the treatment groups. At end of experimental feeding (90d), serum concentrations of glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, urea, creatinine, cholesterol, ALT and AST were not affected (p>0.05) by the dietary supplementation of sunflower oil. However, triglycerides concentration was increased (p<0.001) in T₃ as compared to the T₁ and T₂ groups. Based on the results, it may be concluded that sunflower oil supplementation at 125 or 250 ml/d in the diet of lactating Kankrej cows did not have any adverse effect on haemato-biochemical parameters except elevated triglycerides levels in lactating Kankrej cows.