Haematological Profile of Dairy Cattle Fed with A Diet Supplemented with Depolarized Katuk Leaf (Sauropus androgynus)

Abstract

This study was aimed to assess the health status of dairy cows after consuming depolarized katuk leaves (Sauroupus androgynus) as a feed additive by measuring their hematological profile. Nine Friesian-Holstein cows were divided into three groups based on their diet: complete feed (control), complete feed plus depolarized katuk leaf powder (P1; 100 g per day), and complete feed plus depolarized katuk leaf pellet (P2; 100 g per day). Supplementation of depolarizing katuk leaves in the diet started two weeks before parturition until three months of lactation. Blood sampling was carried out during the 10th week of lactation. The analysis of hematological profiles includes total erythrocytes, hematocrit, hemoglobin, total leukocytes, stress index (neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio), total platelets, and total protein. There were no significant differences in total erythrocytes, hematocrit, total leukocytes, stress index, total platelets, and total protein in groups P1 and P2 compared to controls. The hemoglobin levels of dairy cows in groups P1 and P2 were significantly lower (P<0.05) compared to controls, although these levels were still within normal limits. In conclusion, there was no negative impact of depolarizing katuk leaf supplementation in the ratio on the health status of lactating dairy cows based on the hematological profile.