Combined effect of trisodium citrate and vitamin E supplementation during the transition period on body weight and other production parameters in Sahiwal cows

The present study was carried out to investigate the combined effect of supplementation of trisodium citrate (25 gm) and vitamin E (1000 IU)/animal/day during the transition period in Sahiwal cows. A total of 30 healthy multiparous cows were selected and randomly divided into two groups, i.e. control and treatment. Body weight(BW), body condition score (BCS), dry matter intake (DMI) and DMI/100 kg body weight of cows were estimated starting from three weeks before to three weeks after calving. Milk samples were collected at day 1, 3, 7, and then at weekly interval up to day 56 postpartum for assessment of various milk parameters. The BW, BCS, DMI, and DMI/100 kg body weight of cows were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in treatment as compared to control group. The DMI and DMI/100 kg body weight were minimum at the time of calving and increased around 3rd week postpartum. Milk somatic cell counts (SCC), pH and electrical conductivity (EC) were lower in the treatment as compared to the control group. However, milk yield, fat, lactose and solid not fat (SNF) were higher in the supplemented cows as compared to the control. Milk SCC, pH, EC, fat, protein, and SNF levels were maximum during the colostrum phase in both groups and declined to normal levels afterwards. However, milk lactose levels followed an inverse pattern to that of fat and protein. Our findings reveal that the supplementation of trisodium citrate and vitamin E during the transition period can improve body condition score and productivity of indigenous dairy cows.