Impact of Herbal Blends Supplementation on the Mineral Profile of Blood Plasma and Milk of Dairy Cows ^*

Abstract The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementation of cow’s diet with four different herbal blends on the mineral profile in the plasma and milk of cows in the first stage of lactation. The experiment involved 50 cows divided into five groups. Four herbal blends were used as an experimental factor. A full ration of 100 g of the herbal supplements per 100 kg b.w. per day was included in the cow’s diet from one week before the planned calving to the end of the third month of lactation. The feed intake by the dairy cows was assessed in three 3-day cycles in lactation weeks 6, 7, and 8. Concurrently, blood and milk were collected from these cows. The content of selected minerals was determined in the feed rations, herbal blends, milk, and plasma. The study showed that herbs, besides being a source of bioactive compounds, should be considered a beneficial source of minerals, especially microelements like copper, zinc and iron, and might affect the mineral homeostasis in the organism. The introduction of different herbal blends affected not only the mineral profile of blood but most notably the milk mineral profile.