Potential Benefits of Boswellia sacra Resin on Immunity, Metabolic Status, Udder and Uterus Health, and Milk Production in Transitioning Goats

Abstract

As an attempt to prevent transition-period-associated metabolic disorders and/or diseases, the potential benefits of Boswellia sacra (Bs) resin on hematology, immunity, metabolic status, udder and uterus health biomarkers, and milk production were examined in transitioning goats. From 2 weeks prepartum to 7 weeks postpartum, goats (n = 7/treatment) orally received 0 (control, nBS), 2 (BsL), or 4 (BsH) g of Bs resin/goat/day. The results showed that both Bs treatments significantly improved the activity of phagocytes. Both Bs treatments significantly decreased the concentrations of blood plasma urea, non-esterified fatty acids, hydroxybutyric acid, and interleukin-1β, whereas they increased the total antioxidant capacity compared with the nBS treatment. Both Bs treatments significantly decreased the uterine horn diameter and tended to decrease the intrauterine fluid content, indicating improved uterine involution compared with no treatment. Compared with the nBS treatment, both Bs treatments significantly decreased the milk somatic cell count. The lowest milk interleukin-1β content was observed in goats that received the BsL treatment, followed by those that received the BsH and nBS treatments. The BsL treatment significantly increased the concentration of immunoglobulin M (IgM) in the colostrum compared with the other treatments. Both Bs treatments significantly increased the daily milk yield compared with the nBS treatment but did not affect milk composition or the fat-to-protein ratio. In conclusion, supplementing lactating goats in the transition period with Bs resin at a dose of 2 g/goat/day positively affected the body lipid metabolism, udder and uterus health, colostrum IgM content, and milk yield due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Struggling Thermal Stress Impacts on Growth Performance and Health Status of Newly Weaned Rabbits Using Nanoemulsion of Origanum majorana Considering the Economic Efficiency of Supplementation

“…Therefore, in this study, we have focused on studying the changes in these two pathways in heat-stressed and MEONE-supplemented rabbits. Giving in mind that essential oils can alleviate the negative effects of HS through controlling these two major cells damaging pathways, oxidative and inflammatory pathways [6,14,41,[46][47][48].…”

“…Moreover, the supplementation of rabbit diets with MEONE resulted in significant improvements in humoral immunity, as indicated by the increased lysosomal activity and concentration of amyloid A. The improved lysozyme activity may contribute to the elimination of pathogens because of its enzymatic degenerative potential [48,53], and amyloid A has a significant immunological activity either by being chemotactic for mast cells and neutrophils or by stimulating the synthesis of cytokines [54]. These positive effects of MEOE on immune system can be attributed to its wide biological activities, including anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antimicrobial activities [55].…”

Biomolecule-Producing Probiotic Bacterium Lactococcus lactis in Free or Nanoencapsulated Form for Endometritis Treatment and Fertility Improvement in Buffaloes

“…It was observed that injections of recombinant bovine TNF, a proinflammatory cytokine, can induce remarkable changes in the concentrations of blood plasma glucose, triglycerides, and NEFA in Holstein heifers [ 51 ]. Generally, the reduction in this metabolite is associated with better immune functions, energy status, and reproductive performance in dairy animals [ 52 ]. For example, prolonged exposure to circulating NEFA and β-hydroxybutyrate during late prepartum and early postpartum periods was associated with impairment of PMN function during the transition period in dairy cows [ 53 ].…”

Maternal, Postnatal, and Management-Related Factors Involved in Daily Weight Gain and Survivability of Suckling Zaraibi Goat Kids in Egypt

“…The individual milk yield was determined on a weekly basis by keeping the newborn kids in separate pens for 20 h and milking the goats by hand until the udder was empty throughout the suckling period. The milk yield of each goat was recorded and multiplied with a correction factor of 1.2 to obtain the DMY [ 9 ].…”