Effects of allicin on milk performance, milk quality, and antioxidant function of dairy cows.

The experiment aimed to study the effects of different levels of allicin on the lactation performance, milk quality, and antioxidant function of Holstein lactating cows. Fifty healthy second-parity lactating Holstein cows were randomly divided into five treatment groups, with 10 replicates per group and one cow per replicate. Holstein cows in each group were fed diets containing 0 (control group), 100 (Group 1), 200 (Group 2), 400 (Group 3), and 800 mg/kg (Group 4) of allicin, respectively. The preliminary trial lasted for one week, followed by a formal trial period of 60 days. The results showed that, compared to the control group, from 31 to 60 days of the experiment, the average daily dry matter intake, milk yield, and 4% standard milk yield of cows in Group 2, Group 3, and Group 4 significantly increased ( P<0.05). On the 30th day of the experiment, compared to the control group, the milk fat and milk protein content in Group 2, Group 3, and Group 4 significantly increased ( P<0.05), and the somatic cell count in milk significantly decreased in all allicin groups ( P<0.05). On the 60th day of the experiment, compared to the control group, the milk fat content in Group 2, Group 3, and Group 4 significantly increased ( P<0.05), the milk protein content in Group 3 and Group 4 significantly increased ( P<0.05), and the somatic cell count in milk significantly decreased in all allicin groups ( P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the concentrations of TNF- α and IL-6 in the serum of Holstein cows in Group 3 and Group 4 significantly decreased ( P<0.05), while the concentrations of IgA and IgM in the serum of Holstein cows in Group 2, Group 3, and Group 4 significantly increased ( P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the T-AOC and SOD activity in the serum of Holstein cows in Group 2, Group 3, and Group 4 significantly increased ( P<0.05), while the concentration of MDA significantly decreased ( P<0.05). The study suggests that feeding an appropriate amount of allicin to Holstein cows can improve lactation performance, enhance milk quality, boost immune function, and increase antioxidant function. Considering various indicators and the cost of farming, the appropriate addition level of allicin is 400 mg/kg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]