Effects of feeding fennel seeds (foeniculum vulgare) on lactation performance, growth hormone and prolactin level in lactating ewes

In view of the traditional belief that fennel (foeniculum vulgare) can stimulate milk production in lactating women. Some plants have been identified as lactogenic because of a capacity to stimulate the synthesis of lactogenic hormones (prolactin (PRL), growth hormone (GH), and cortisol). This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of fennel seeds on milk production and composition, Growth Hormone and Prolactin levels in lactating ewes. Twelve lactating ewes from the sanjabi breed in early lactation (20±2 DIM) were divided into two groups depending on lactation week and parity. Six ewes were fed 20 g fennel seeds powder daily for three weeks while the other six ewes received no fennel seed (control). Blood samples were collected in the final week and were taken every 45 minutes for 3 hours after morning meal. Milk yield of ewes fed fennel seed was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of the control group during 3 weeks of lactation. Fennel seed treatment did not affect milk fat, lactose, total solids (TS) and solids not fat (SNF) percentage; while, milk protein percentage significantly decreased (p<0.05) in treated group as compared with control. Mean serum levels of growth hormone were also not affected by feeding fennel seed. However, serum levels of prolactin were significantly higher (p<0.01) in the fennel treated ewes compared to the control. This study demonstrates that the fennel seeds can stimulate PRL release in the lactating ewes and could consequently have the lactogenic and Galactogogue properties for lactating ruminants.

Keywords:

fennel , foeniculum vulgare , milk production , milk composition , growth hormone , prolactin , lactating ewes