Effect of Rumex Sc on Ruminal Fermentation, Blood Metabolites and Performance of Lactating Dairy Cow

This study investigated the effect of Rumex Sc (commercial product which includes of Saccharomyces cer-visiae, saponin and essential oils) on rumen fermentation, blood glucose, urea, milk yield and milk compo-sition. Animals were offered a basal diet containing alfalfa hay (15.5%), corn silage (24%), beet pulp (7%) and concentrate (53.5%). Additionally, Rumex Sc was included in the experimental diet at a rate of 5 g/day/cow. Sampling of milk, ruminal liquid and blood was conducted for determination of milk composi-tion, fermentation parameters and blood metabolites. Milk yield was significantly increased for the experi-mental group when compared to the control group (P < 0.05), but milk composition was not affected by Ru-mex Sc. The number of protozoa, ammonia nitrogen concentration and pH in the rumen were decreased in the experimental group (P < 0.05). Concentrations of volatile fatty acids in the rumen were affected to some extent by inclusion of Rumex Sc in the diet. Molar proportion of acetate was decreased and propionate was increased with a corresponding decrease in acetate: propionate ratio. In this study, blood glucose was sig-nificantly increased and urea decreased with the addition of Rumex Sc (P < 0.05). It was concluded that us-ing Rumex Sc can improve the milk yield performance of dairy cows, however further studies are needed.