Effect of the Fed Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) On Body Weight and Puberty of Sahiwal Heifers

To investigate the effect of sharavari on growth and puberty, sixteen Sahiwal heifers was selected from the institute herd. The treatment group sahiwal heifers were fed Shatavari @150 mg/kg BW/day once in morning. The fortnightly body weight, dry matter intake and blood samples from each animal were collected. In plasma samples Growth Hormone (GH) and cortisol was estimated. The body weight of the heifers varied (P<0.05) between the group due to more feed intake (P < 0.05) and increase in plasma GH levels (P < 0.05). The incidence of puberty and age at first service was achieved earlier in the treatment group in comparison to control suggesting that shatavari could be fed to augment growth and puberty in sahiwal heifers.