Effects of dietary supplementation with Nigella sativa L. on productivity and health in dairy cows

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Nigella sativa seeds supplementation on the productive performances and health status of lactating dairy cows. The study was conducted at the Experimental Farm of the Research and Development Institute for Bovine Balotesti, Romania, between November and December 2023, on a number of 40 Romanian Black and Spotted dairy cows divided into two groups: the experimental group E (n=20 heads) and the control group C (n=20 heads). The experimental group received 20 g of Nigella sativa seeds/head/day for 28 consecutive days. Milk and blood samples were collected at day 0 and day 28. Statistical comparisons were performed using Student?s t-test. Results revealed statistical differences for lymphocytes (P=0.0479), glucose (P=0.0473), uric acid (P=0.0222), and amylase (P=0.0032) in the experimental group (E) after the 28-days trial. Nigella sativa seeds, due to their bioactive and antioxidant constituents, demonstrated promising potential as a natural dietary additive for enhancing dairy cattle physiological stability.