EFFECT OF FEEDS SUPPLEMENTED WITH ASPARAGUS RACEMOSUS ON MILK

PRODUCTION OF INDIGENOUS COWS

KIRAN KUMAR DIVYA1, P.L. CHOUDHARY1, A. KHARE1, K.K. CHOUDHARY2 , R. R. SAXENA3, N.
SHUKLA3, K. A. BHARATI5 AND AMRENDRA KUMAR 4*
1Department of Dairy Chemistry, 2Department of Agriculture Economics, 3Department of Agriculture Statistics, 4Department of
Dairy Technology, Indra Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur- 492006; 5CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and
Information Resources, Dr. K. S. Krishnan marg, New Delhi - 110012.Email: k.amrendra@hotmail.com
Received -26.11.2015; Reviewed and accepted -03.01.2015
ABSTRACT
Indigenous cows, on farm level, kept on feeding supplemented with powdered root of Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus Willd.). It was observed that feeding Shatavari roots
supplemented feed increased percentage milk yield, fat, solid not fat (SNF) and total solids significantly without altering quality and natural attributes of milk. Significant
residual effect of feeding Shatavari roots supplemented feed was also observed in terms of percentage increase in milk yield, fat, solid not fat (SNF) and total solids (TS) up to
ten days after Shatavari roots supplemented was stopped to cows.
Keywords: Shatavari, Asparagus racemosus, cows, milk yield, milk fat.
INTRODUCTION
India is the largest milk producing nation from 1998 but due to
its thriving population; per capita availability is just 281gms/day.
The total milk production in 2010-11 was 121.8 MT. (NDDB,
2012; http://www.nddb.org/English/Statistics/Pages/Milk-Production.aspx). In India, the current growth rate of milk production is
4% while increase in demand is 6-8%. Therefore, there is an
urgent need to increase milk production. In order to compensate
difference between production and its demand NDDB has
launched National Dairy Plan (NDP) in 2012.
India has highest livestock and bovine population in world, but
due to use to inferior breeds and lack of availability of balance
feed to animal; there is quite low per animal production on milk.
In order to increase milk production while keeping near about
constant total bovine population, the large scale studies have
been focused on use of hormones and other veterinary
medicines for supplementing reproduction performance, which
are considered economically but also leads health problem to
milch animals. Hence, it arises need for substitutes in some
other form and natural ways (such as herbs), which are
considered as safe, cheap, locally available and at the same
time they also improve production and reproduction
performance of milch animals. Indian history is very rich in
herbal medicine and one of the oldest surviving systems of
health care in the world known as Ayurveda. Ayurveda is a

natural remedy and totally based on herbs. These herbs were

being used since Pre-Vedic time (stone age) because they were
safe to use, cheap and easily available, has no side effect and
no residual effect in milk [1].
Ayurveda has recommended several feed additives to increase
the milk secretion, some of them are Shatavari (Asparagus
racemosus Willd.), Jiwanti [Leptadenia reticulata (Retz.) Wight
&Arn], Bhringraj [Eclipta prostrata (L.) L.; syn. Eclipta alba (L.)
Hassk], Papaya (Carica papaya L.), Methi [Trigonella
adscendens (Nevski) Afan. & Gontsch.], etc. Animal keepers
used extracts, leaf, seed and roots ofabove mentioned plants as
food ingredients with the standard fodder.
The present study was designed to test the galactagogue
property of Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus Willd.), family
Asparagaceae (Fig. 1) in milking cattle. The tuberous roots of
Asparagus racemosus is commonly used in traditional medicine
for human being and its supplementation is recommended
during last trimester of pregnancy to first trimester after birth to
the mother to boost milk quality, immunity of both mother and
fetus and to tone the reproductive system and reproductive
health. Besides, Asparagus racemosus has been scientifically
validated as reproductive system tonic, immune modulator,
antioxidant, galactogogue and anti-stress [2].

Fig.1 :( A) Asparagus racemosus Willd ;(B) Asparagus racemosus Willd .dried roots; (C) Asparagus racemosus Willd.Fresh roots.

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Asparagus racemosus root contains principal components

Steroidalsaponins known as Shatavarins IIV (Fig. 2).
Shatawarin- I is the major glycoside with 1 glucose and 2
rhamnose moieties attached to sarsasapogenin and ShatavarinIV contains alkaloids, proteins, starch and tannin. It increases
the GPT (Glutamic PyrovateTransminase), GOT (Glutamic
Oxaloacetate Transminace) activities which increase the
digestibility and nutrient assimilation results for improving the
galactogogue activity in lactating animals, when it is
supplemented with the fodder [3].
Shatavari roots having a vital activity in man and animals as per
the literature. But no systematic study was carried out on its
performance on milch herd and also in organized sectors the
pricing of milk depends upon its fat and solid not fat (SNF)
content of milk. If milk production of animals increases at the
cost of decrease in fat and SNF; then it will not be profitable
marketing point of view. Therefore, this study was carried out to
evaluate the effect of Shatavari on its galactogogue activity in
relation to its major constituents with following objectives:

To standardize the doses of Shatavari powdered root for

enhancing milk production in indigenous cows
To study effect of Shatavari root powder on milk yield and
composition after its feeding
To calculate the techno-economic feasibility of milk
production

all the cows were put on the control fodder and continued on the
same for next 10 days ; residual phase (R. PHASE III).
Thus, each feeding schedule was repeated thrice on the same
group of cows which gave 6 observations under each treatment.
Observations recorded during the experiment are the milk yield
and its composition.
The proximate analysis was done by the methods as shown in
Table 2.
Statistical analysis technique of randomized block design was
carried out on the data, with main plot as five treatments of
feeding Shatavari root powder with three replications [7]. The
statistical model followed is given as under:
Yij= + Si + bj +ij
Yij = Response of ithshatavari root powder in the jth replication
(i =1, 2, 3., t; j = 1, 2, 3, r)
= General mean effect
Si = Effect due to the of ithtreatment
bj = Effect due to the jth replication
i j= Error effect due to random component assumed to be
independent normally distributed with mean zero and variance.
Economical feasibility was calculated on the basis of increase in
yield and major milk constituents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ten indigenous cows of same ages and same stages of
lactation were selected randomly. The cows were placed in the
same shade and received identical treatment regarding ration
(feed), watering etc. Amount of ration depends on body weight
of the animal and also with the nature of its production. The
body weights of the animals were calculated using Shaeffers
formula in which the body measurement were used to calculate
the body weight [4]. The formula is,
Body weight = (G2 x L)/300

------------- Equation (1)

Fig. 2 (A): Shatavarin I

Where G is heart girth and L is length of body in inches.

Cows ate 2 to 2.5 kg of dry matter and buffaloes ate 2.5 to 3 kg
dry matter per day for every 100 kg of live weight. The following
formula was applied to calculate amount of fodder [5].
Total dry matter = {[(2/3 as a roughages [(2/3 dry
roughages) + (1/3 green
roughages)] + (1/3 as
concentrate mixture)]}
---------- Equation (2)
Along with calculated amount of fodder, different amounts of
Shatavari powdered root were also fed to selected herd of milch
animals as shown in Table 1.
All ten lactating cows were divided into 5 different groups
(having two cows in each group) viz. T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5
were first put on the control ration for a period of 10 days and
thereafter, the cows were put on rations formulated for different
treatments [6]. The entire feeding experiment was divided into
three phases viz. Phase I, Phase II and Phase III. During each
phase the feeding schedule was in the sequence as described
below.
1.During phase I, the cows in the respective group were fed
rations namely control (T1), T2, T3, T4 and T5 for a period of 10
days; treatment phase (T.PHASE I) and on the 11th day, the
cows in all the 5 groups were fed with control fodder for a period
of next 10 days; residual phase (R. PHASE I).

Fig. 2 (B): Shatavarin II

Fig. 2 (C): Shatavarin III

2. During phase II the cows under the respective groups were

again put on control (T1), T2, T3, T4 and T5 fodder from 21st
day for a period of 10 days; treatment phase (T.PHASE II) and
then cows under all the 5 groups were put on the control fodder
on the 31st day and continued on this fodder for next 10 days;
residual phase (R. PHASE II).
3. In phase III, the cows under the respective groups were put
again on control (T1), T2, T3 T4 and T5 fodder from 41st day for
10 days; treatment phase (T. PHASE III) and on the 51st day,
Fig. 2 (D): Shatavarin IV

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RESULTS

Fat

Yield

As shown in fig. 4, there was significant increasing (P> 0.05)

effect on milk fat content due to feeding shatavari. Similarly,
when average values on milk fat content of these animals
compared with respect to three different phases was somewhat
closer to each other within the treatments.

The effect of feeding shatavari during treatment phase and

residual phase were shown in Fig 3. The result indicates that
there was significant increasing (P> 0.05) effect on milk yield of
the experimental cows. Similarly, when the average value on
milk yield of these animals compared with respect to control
animals among different phases was somewhat closer to each
other within the phases, except phase II and phase III, in which
it was observed the gradually increasing trend in all treatments.
This may be due to the effect of shatavari root powder
supplemented as fed with fodder.

Protein
Fig. 5 indicates that there was significant increasing (P> 0.05)
effect on milk protein content of the experimental cows.
Similarly, when the average values on milk protein content of
these animals compared with respect to three different phases
was somewhat closer to each other within the treatments.
Lactose

T1

- (KG)

7.48

T2

T3

T4

T5

As reflected from Fig. 6, there was significant decreasing (P

0.05) effect on lactose content in milk of the experimental cows.
Similarly when the average value on lactose content in milk of
these animals compared with respect to three different phases
was somewhat closer to each other within the treatments.

R.PHASE3

7.14
6.80
6.46

R.PHASE2

T1
3.90

R.PHASE1

7.56

in (%)

7.75
7.44
7.13
6.82

7.29
7.02
6.75
7.70

T.PHASE3

6.65
7.83
7.54
7.25

T.PHASE2

7.00

7.35

T.PHASE1

7.84

7.00

3.45
3.84
3.72
3.60
3.48
3.36
3.84

T3

T4

T5

R.PHASE2

R.PHASE1

3.72
3.60
3.48
3.36
3.680

T.PHASE3

3.496

T.PHASE2

3.483
3.402

T1

T2

T3

T4

T5

T.PHASE1

3.630

Treatments

3.564
3.498
3.432
T1

T2

Treatment

Fig. 3: Effect on milk yield due to Shatavari feeding.

NOTE: For graphs T. PHASE= Treatment Phase and R.
PHASE= Residual Phase

T1
4.00

T2

T3

T4

Fig. 5: Effect on milk protein due to Shatavari feeding

T1

T5

R.PAHSE3

3.84
3.68
3.52

R.PHASE2

3.91

3.74

T2

T3

T4

T5

T3

T4

T5

R.PAHSE3

4.896

se (%)

- (%)

T5

3.564

7.28

T4

3.60

3.404
3.645

7.56

4.848
4.800
4.752
4.872
4.843
4.814

R.PHASE2

4.785

3.57
3.40
3.96

R.PHASE1

3.85

3.74
3.63
3.52
4.00

T.PHASE3

4.83
4.80
4.77
4.74

R.PHASE1

4.888

T.PHASE3

4.841

3.84

Fat

T3

3.588

6.96

T2

R.PAHSE3

3.75

3.68
3.52

4.794
4.747

T.PHASE2

4.895

T.PHASE2

4.840

3.90
3.75

4.785

4.730

3.60

T.PHASE1

4.860

3.45
3.90

4.824

T.PHASE1

3.75

4.788

4.752

3.60

T1

3.45
T1

T2

T3

T4

T2

Treatment

T5

Treatment

Fig. 6: Effect on milk lactose due to Shatavari feeding

Fig. 4: Effect on milk fat due to Shatavari feeding.

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Total solids
T1

pH & acidity

R.PAHSE3

6.6501

R.PHASE2

T4

T5

T3

T4

T5

6.6339
6.6258
6.678

R.PHASE1

6.615
6.552

DISCUSSION

T3

6.6420

As per Fig. 8 and 9, it is concluded that there were no significant

(P< 0.05) effect on pH and acidity due to feeding shatavari as a
supplement in fodder.

T2

6300
4200
2100
0

As per Fig. 7, it was observed in present investigation that there

was significant increasing (P> 0.05) effect on total solid content
of milk of the experimental cows. Similarly when the average
value on total solid content of milk of these animals compared
with respect to three different phases significant changes were
observed.

6.489

Yield

T.PHASE3

6.6480
6.6464
6.6448
6.6482

T.PHASE2

6.6456
6.6430

Patel and Kanitkar was observed significant increase in milk

yield in buffaloes on feeding five hundred grams of fresh roots
of Asparagus racemosus per day [3]. A similar result reported
by Tanwar, he was evaluated the effect of shatavari (Asparagus
racemosus) on milk production in lactating dairy animals and
found that shatavari induced significant increase in daily milk
production [8].

6.6496

6.6404

Similar observations were observed in present investigation.

The increase of milk yield due to the shatavari roots because it
contains shatavarin-I, II, III and IV which are stimulating the
hypothalamus or directly to pituitary gland and antagonist
dopamine receptors are increases in pro-lactin secretion [10].
Lahar et al. was demonstrated that shatavari roots is a rich
source of minerals and trace elements such as calcium, copper,
magnesium, iron, manganese, nickel, and zinc [11]. Presence of
calcium in the powder correlates with the analytical results for
galactogogue effect. The sufficient supply of the mineral
nutrition to lactating cows is also a reason behind increase in
milk yield.

Fig. 8: Effect on pH of milk due to Shatavari feeding

T1

T5

R.PAHSE3

0.12717

R.PHASE2

T3

T4

T5

T3

T4

T5

0.12636

12.78
12.60

0.12555
0.12474

R.PHASE2

0.1320

12.69

0.1287

12.96
12.42
13.2
13.0
12.8
12.6

R.PHASE1

0.1254
0.1221
0.1360

R.PHASE1

T.PHASE3

0.1326
0.1292
0.1258
0.125538

T.PHASE3

12.92

0.125440

12.73
12.54

0.125342

T.PHASE2

0.125244

T.PHASE2

12.96

T.PHASE1

0.12604
0.12558

12.80
12.64

0.12512
0.12466

12.48
12.92

T.PHASE1

T1

12.75

T2

0.128
0.127
0.126
0.125

li
So

T4

T2

Treatment

d (%)

12.96

13.11

al

T3

T1

R.PAHSE3

13.23

ot

T2

6.6384

TY

T1
13.14

T.PHASE1

6.6528
6.6480
6.6432

It was also found that shatavari induced significant increase

(10.43%) in daily milk production in buffaloes in treatment group
[9].

T2

Treatment

12.58
12.41
T1

T2

T3

T4

T5

Fig. 9: Effect on acidity of milk due to Shatavari feeding.

Treatment

Fat
Fig. 7: Effect on total solid of milk due to Shatavari feeding.

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A close look of the data indicates that, animal in T1 (control

group) having lower fat in all level of treatments as compared to

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treatment group. In T4 there was gradual increasing trend in fat

percentage observed in all phases. It was due to the activity of
shatavari powder in the animal digestive tracts and provides
spontaneous secretion effect and stimulating the prolactin
hormone [10].

due to increase in efficiency of nutrient utilization by

supplementing seeds of Lipidium sativum in fodder.
Similar observations were observed in present investigation.
The improvement in protein content may be due to increasing
digestibility of crude protein, nourishing effect and improve
digestion after feeding shatavari root powder containing ration
[12]. Whereas ideal concentration of condensed tannins was
from 2 to 3 % of dry matter (DM), since tannins can have a
beneficial effect by protecting the protein degraded in the rumen
by forming protein-tanin complexes [15]. In present investigation
shatavari root powder contain 5.1 mg/g condensed tannins on
dry matter (DM) basis was given through feed to the
experimental animals and observed similar effect during the
study.

Safaa was found that twenty lactating ewes were fed on basal
diet and supplemented with black seed (Nigella sativa) at the
rate of 5 gm/day/animal, and concluded that fat percentage was
increased significantly (p>0.05) in the treated group than control
group [12]. This improvement in fat content may be due to
increasing ruminal activity and stimulating high amount of acetic
acid production and acetate propionate ratio in rumen, which
are precursors of fatty acids of up to 16 carbon atoms in length.
Shatavari root powder containing ration at different levels on
experimental cows the fat percent was increased due to
increasing supplemented ration at level of T4 (200gm) then
decreased slightly, it may be due to conversion of plant lipids in
to triglycerides as -oxidation of fat may be more in digestive
tract [13].

Lactose
In absence of similar work on shatavari, current research is
compared with research of black seeds effect on milk. It was
observed in earlier research that lactose percent was
significantly lower in milk of black seeds treated group than
control one [16].

Similar observations have been observed in present

investigation. Increase in milk fat was may be due to the
increase lipogenic activity. The possible mechanism of acetylCoA Translocation involved direct fusion of acetate across
mitochondrial membrane; this could be due to involved in
hydrolysis of acetyl-CoA in mitochondria via acetyl-CoA
hydrolysis through rumen lipolysis and biorumenhydrolization
process and subsequent regeneration of acetyl-CoA in cystol
via. lipogenic enzyme acetyl thio kinase and malate
dehydrogenase in mammary tissue and approximately 100 folds
increase in the rate of fatty acid synthesis.

Similar observations have been observed in present

investigation due to feeding of shatavari roots. The decreasing
of lactose content may be due to decrease of serum glucose by
treatment of shatavari root powder, whereas glucose and
galactose is the precursors of lactose in milk.
Total solid
In absence of literature, current work is compared with earlier
similar literature [14]. That research was conducted on fifteen
lactating buffaloes divided into 5 groups of three animals in each
groups. Medicinal plant seeds were added to basic diet
Fenugreek seed (Lipidium sativum). They observed that total
solid percentage was significantly increased in treated animals
than those of control.

Protein
Increase in protein content may be because of the increasing
digestibility of crude protein provided through shatavari root
powder from their daily ration, as shatavari also stimulating the
peptidase enzymes as described for mammalian biochemistry
[13].

pH and acidity
In absence of similar literature current work cannot be
compared with others. The graphical data shows that feeding of
shatavari root powder containing fodder at different levels on
experimental cows the pH was slightly decreased due to
increasing supplemented ration. This may be because of
increasing acidity percent in milk also increased fat, protein,
total solid percent in milk.

In the absence of similar literature, current experiment was

compared with research of Abo El Nor et al., while studying the
effect of some medicinal plant seeds in the fodder on the milk
productive performance of lactating buffaloes and observe that
feeding Lipidium sativum for 12 weeks in lactating buffaloes and
found that percentage of milk protein increased significantly
over the control group [14]. The increase in milk protein may be

Fat
Fat

Protein
Protein

4.0

3.8

Fat

Protein

3.8
3.6

3.6
3.4

3.4
T1

T2

T3

T4

T5Lactose

T1

T2

Lactose 13.2

Treatment

T3

T4

T5Total

T4

T5

Treatment

Solid
Total Solid

4.90
13.0

Total Solid

Lactose

4.85

4.80

12.8

12.6

4.75

12.4

T1

T2

T3

Treatment

T4

T5

T1

T2

T3

Treatment

Fig. 10: Average data 1 (average data of all treatments)

(Black lines showing effect of feeding of shatavari supplemented fodder during treatment while red lines after treatment)

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Yield
Yield

8.0

pH
pH
6.65

7.5

pH

Yield

6.64

6.63
7.0

6.62
6.5
T1

T2

T3

T4

T5Acidity

Acidity

Treatment

T1

T2

T3

T4

T5

Treatment

Acidity

0.1260

0.1255

0.1250

T1

T2

T3

T4

T5

Treatment

Fig. 11: average data 2 (average data of all treatments)

(Black lines showing effect of feeding of shatavari supplemented fodder during treatment while red lines after
treatment)
Economical feasibility
5. Banerjee GC. Animal Nutrition. 4th Edition, New Delhi:
Oxford and IBH publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd., 1978. p. 443- 449.
Expenditure on feeding of shatavari and income from extra milk
6. AOAC. Official methods of analysis. 15th ed. Washington
taken was consideration for economic evaluation of its feeding.
DC: Association of official analytical chemists, 1990.
Supplementation of shatavari in cow returned net incremental
7. Snedecor GW and Cochran WG. Statistical methods. New
income by Rs. 9.75/day/animal.
Delhi: Affiliated East-West press Pvt. Ltd., 1994. p. 466490.
CONCLUSION
8. Tanwar PS, Rathore SS and Kumar Y. Effect of shatavari
As reflected from fig. 10 and 11, in an average there was
(Asparagus recemosus) on milk production in dairy
increase 9.25%, 11.60%, 12.48% and 10.87% in milk yield,
animals. Indian J Anim Res 2008;42: 232-233.
3.71%, 5.43%, 13.43% and 4.57% in milk fat, 4.99%, 7.33%,
9. Somkuwar AP, Pawar SD and Hande ST. Role of Herbal
10.56% and 7.62% in milk protein and 1.36%, 2.57%, 4.98%
Plants in Enhancing Milk Production in Dairy Animals.
and 2.97 in total solid of milk while decrease in 1.85%, 2.26%,
Indian Dairyman. 2005; 57: 62-65.
2.46% and 1.85% in milk lactose for different treatments T2, T3,
10. Baig MI and Bhagwat VG. Study the efficacy of Galactin
T4 and T5 due to shatavari feeding. Treatment phases had
Vet Bolus on milk yield in dairy cows. Veterinary World.
more pronounced effect of supplementation than the residual
2009; 2: 140-142.
phases. Thus, it may be concluded that Shatavari has
11. Lohar DR, Chaturvedi D and Verma PN. Mineral elements
lactogenic properties to improve the milk production and
of a few medicinally important plants. Indian Drugs 1991;
economical for feeding to dairy animals. The most cost-effective
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feeding was T4 (200gm).
12. Safaa AS. Effect of Black Seeds (Nigella sativa)
Supplementation on Dairy Ewes' Performance. Arab J
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