Effect of royal jelly on milk composition and blood biochemical parameters in lactating ewes

Abstract

Use of antibiotics as feed additives has been reduced to avoid the hazard of drug residues, and consequently, the search for alternative natural additives has developed. Thus, the aim was to evaluate the influence of royal jelly (RJ) supplementation on milk composition, blood biochemical and antioxidant parameters of lactating ewes. Thirty-six Ossimi ewes were divided randomly into two groups (18 animals each). For a period of 4 weeks, the control group (CON) was fed a basal diet only, while the other group was fed the basal diet and supplemented with a single bolus of RJ (1000 mg/head). The RJ-supplemented ewes produced significantly higher milk protein, fat and total solids than the CON group. The RJ group had a significantly higher red blood cell count, haemoglobin content, haematocrit value and total leucocyte counts, but lower neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio when compared with the control treatment. The RJ group showed significantly higher concentrations of total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione in the serum compared with the control treatment. In conclusion, RJ supplements can improve the nutritive value of milk fat and the serum antioxidant activities in lactating ewes.

Effect of the Dietary Royal Jelly Supplementation in Ewes of Bulgarian Dairy Synthetic Population on the Body Weight of the Lambs and the Milk Composition

“…The protein and solid non fat content remained unaffected, nevertheless their values are within the range that is previously observed for the breed (Ivanova et al, 2011). Our results contradict to those of El-Tarabany et al (2019), who observed considerably higher fat and protein content of the milk in ewes supplemented with royal jelly. The density of the milk was higher in the supplemented group.…”

Impact of hormonal and non-hormonal treatments on milk production and reproductive performance of lactating New Zeland White rabbits

“…Bonomi and Bonomi (2004) found that the addition of royal jelly was able to induce a significant improvement of milk yield in dairy cattle. Also, El-Tarabany et al (2019) recorded that the ewes supplemented with RJ had higher in daily milk yield than untreated ewes. The results regarding to eCG effect on milk production in coincide with Rebollar et al (2008) reported that the eCG when administration at day 9 postpartum lead to decrease in PRL concentrations.…”