Pattern of changes in milk fatty acids and antioxidants of Saanen dairy ‎goats in response to Berberine supplementation during transition ‎period

The present study was aimed to evaluate temporal changes in milk fatty acids and antioxidants of Saanen goat in response to berberine (BBR) supplementation during the transition period. Twenty-four primiparous Saanen dairy goats were used from 21 days before predicted parturition to 21 days after kidding. Experimental treatments were included: 1) control (without BBR supplement), 2) control + 1 g/d BBR, 3) control + 2 g/d BBR and 4) control + 4 g/d BBR. Body condition score (BCS) and body weight (BW) of individual goats were measured on days -21, -14, -7, 0, 7, 14 and 21 relative to parturition. Also, milk samples were harvested at days 0, 7, 14 and 21 following parturition. The results showed that dry matter intake (DMI), BCS and milk yield were increased with supplementation of 2 and 4 g/d BBR (P≤0.05). Milk lactose was also enhanced with increased BBR ingestion (P≤0.05). BBR consumption caused changes in milk fatty acids (FAs) profile in accordance with the energy balance. By supplementing 2 and 4 g/d BBR in transition goats, the level of de novo FAs were increased and free fatty acids (FFAs) were decreased (P≤0.05). BBR supplementation was also associated with a decrease in C18:1n9 fatty acid. The level of milk malondialdehyde (MDA) in goats supplemented with 2 and 4 g/d BBR was also decreased (P≤0.05). The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) as well as the level of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzymes in the milk of goats fed 2 and 4 g/d BBR was higher than the control (P≤0.05). In summary, these results showed that BBR supplementation as a new therapeutic strategy in transition period could improve lactation performance, energy balance, and milk antioxidant indicators.