Haematological parameters
Haematological and biochemical parameters are reliable indicators of the physiological, metabolic and health status of dairy animals. The haematological parameters of lactating Sahiwal cows, grouped for different dietary treatments, for the study are presented in Table 1 and 2. In the present study, haemoglobin (Hb%), total erythrocyte count (TEC) and total leukocyte count (TLC) did not differ significantly among treatment groups, indicating that supplementation of monensin sodium and yeast metabolites had no effect on haematological status. Although small numerical variations were observed across different sampling intervals, these changes were statistically non-significant, indicating that supplementation had no adverse effect on basic hematological indices. Similar findings have been reported by
Martineau et al., (2007), Helal and Lasheen (2008),
Sadjadian et al., (2013) and
Anassori et al., (2015) for monensin and by
Abou-Elenin et al. (2011) and
El-Din et al. (2015) for yeast supplementation.
The mean packed cell volume (PCV) was non-significantly different between groups, but at the 90
th-day observation the mean value of PCV was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the yeast-supplemented group as compared to the control and monensin-supplemented groups. Packed cell volume (PCV) showed a significant (P<0.05) increase within treatments from day 0
th, 30
th, 60
th and day 90
th, reflecting improved physiological status of the animals. However, differences among treatments were non-significant. Packed cell volume (PCV) increased significantly within treatments, which may be attributed to improved nutritional status and enhanced erythropoiesis.
Differential leukocyte
Differential leukocyte count did not differ significantly (P>0.05) among treatment groups throughout the experimental period. However, numerical variations were observed among treatments. Lymphocyte percentage was slightly increased in yeast metabolite (T
2) groups at 30
th days while neutrophil percentage was relatively lower in T
2 group, indicating mild stress during transition period. Monocyte, eosinophil and basophil percentages remained comparable across all treatments with no significant differences. Differential leukocyte count showed decreased lymphocyte and increased neutrophil percentages, suggesting improved immune status and reduced stress. Yeast supplementation was known to enhance immune response through improved rumen microbial balance
(Nocek et al., 2011; Chae et al., 2024). However, there was no significant differences among the treatment groups and was in agreement with
Bagheri et al., (2009) and
Khormizi et al., (2010). Feeding of yeast culture in dairy cows resulted in elevated blood eosinophil counts and reduced lymphocyte percentages, enhanced neutrophil activity indicating modulation of immune function associated with the acute phase reaction in lactating cows (
Martins et al., 2023).
Biochemical parameter
The biochemical parameters of lactating Sahiwal cows under different dietary treatments are presented in Table 3. The biochemical parameter like serum total protein showed a significant (P<0.05) increase among treatments at the 60
th and 90
th days, with higher values recorded in the yeast metabolite supplemented group (T
2). Similarly, globulin concentration increased significantly (P<0.05), with T
2 showing the highest values at 60
th and 90
th days. The within-group analysis also indicated significant improvement in globulin levels in T
2, suggesting enhanced immune status.
Serum albumin levels did not differ significantly (P>0.05) among treatments or within treatments throughout the experimental period, indicating stable protein metabolism. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels increased significantly (P<0.05) within treatments over time, with values rising progressively from the day 0
th to day 90
th in all groups. However, differences among treatments were non-significant. The increased BUN may be associated with enhanced protein metabolism.
Serum AST values showed significant (P<0.05) variation among treatments at initial stages, but differences were non-significant at later stages. Within treatments, AST levels were increased significantly over time. In contrast, ALT levels did not differ significantly (P>0.05) among or within treatments, indicating no effect of supplementation on liver function. Serum cholesterol levels increased significantly (P<0.05) over the experimental period, with higher values observed in supplemented groups, particularly T
2. Significant differences among treatments were observed at the 30
th and 90
th days. Blood glucose levels showed a significant (P<0.05) increase both among and within treatments. The highest values were observed in the monensin supplemented group (T
1), followed by T
2 group. This indicates improved energy metabolism due to dietary supplementation.
Among biochemical parameters, total protein and globulin increased significantly, particularly in the yeast supplemented group, indicating improved protein metabolism and immune function. Similar improvements have been reported by
Abou-Elenin et al. (2011) and
El-Din et al. (2015). Serum albumin remained unchanged, suggesting normal liver function. Similar findings were reported by
Gupta et al., (2018), who observed increased blood glucose concentration in lactating buffaloes supplemented with monensin in the ration. The elevated glucose level may be attributed to enhanced ruminal propionate production induced by monensin, which serves as a major gluconeogenic precursor for hepatic glucose synthesis
(McCarthy et al., 2015: Markantonatos et al., 2017).
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), cholesterol and glucose were increased significantly during the experimental period, reflecting improved metabolic activity and nutrient utilization. Monensin supplementation enhanced propionate production and gluconeogenesis, leading to improved glucose levels
(Duffield et al., 2008; Lamba et al., 2013). Yeast supplementation improves rumen fermentation and nutrient digestibility, thereby enhancing metabolic efficiency
(Nocek et al., 2011). Liver enzyme activity (AST and ALT) remained within normal range, indicating that supplementation did not cause hepatic stress. Similar findings had been reported by
Martineau et al., (2007); Yalcin et al. (2011) and
Cattaneo et al., (2023) confirming the safety of these feed additives.
The present results indicated that supplementation of monensin sodium and yeast metabolites improves metabolic and immune status without causing any detrimental effects on haematological and biochemical parameters in lactating Sahiwal cows.