USE OF ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE (ITKs) IN ANIMAL REPRODUCTION IN FARM ANIMALS IN INDIA

Post no-614 Dt-23/03/2018

Compiled & shared by-DR RAJESH KUMAR SINGH, JAMSHEDPUR, JHARKHAND

9431309542,rajeshsinghvet@gmail.com

Livestock production is found to be major source of income in rural and semi urban areas of India. The rural and tribal people are not easily accessible to modern veterinary services for their livestock. They are less economically healthy to cope with various bovine ailments therefore they depend upon their traditional knowledge of healing animals. It serves as a cheap, safe, biodegradable and easily accessible alternative to the synthetic and modern methods of disease control. According to the World Health Organization, at least 80% of people in developing countries depend largely on indigenous practices for the control and treatment of various diseases affecting both human beings and their animals. Livestock owners use a variety of plants and their products to form traditional medicines for primary health care treatment and maintaining animals productive. India is one of the world’s 12 mega-diversity countries accounting for 8% of global plant genetic resources, therefore have a variety of plants to be the source of herbal medicines. Ethno-veterinary medicine has evolved through observations, trials and errors, and passes from one generation to the next through verbal communication. Therefore, these practices are hardly documented and unfortunately largely lost, diluted and distorted. In order to understand its scientific justification, logic and to develop new concepts, it is of utmost need and importance to document the practices involved in EVM. The traditional knowledge of animal healthcare practices requires great attention for pharmaceutical analysis to prospect new drugs in the concerned field. In the present paper the documentation of ethnic practices used all over the country for livestock treatment has been done. The electronic and print databases were searched for the documentation of ethno veterinary practices. Components of Ethno veterinary Practices Ethno veterinary term does not only comprise of herbal and traditional medicines but it also constitutes informations, practices, beliefs, skills, tools and technologies, selection of breeds and human resources. It was observed that almost all parts of the plant are used in the preparation of ethno veterinary medicines. These include bark, leaves, stem, flowers, roots, seeds, fruits.

According to the Word Health Organisation (WHO), at least 80% of people in developing countries depend largely on indigenous practices for the control and treatment of various diseases affecting both human beings and animals (Jabbar et al 2005). It was not until recently that more attention was drawn to these practices. Increased attention on ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM) is justified because; it is accessible, easy to prepare and administer at little or no cost at all (Jabbar et al 2005). These practices may be the only option in areas where conventional services are economically unavailable or cannot effectively reach (Mathias and McCorkle 2004), many EVM practices do work and make sound veterinary sense (Schillhorn van Veen 1996). Herbal medicines are known to be broad spectrum and therefore may be a future answer to pathogen resistance to conventional drugs (Mwale et al 2005).

Most rural households in Asia and other continents keep livestock & poultry native to their areas, especially dairy animals & chickens. The major constraints in the production oflivestock & poultry under rural settings include diseases, poor nutrition and predation (Guèye 1997; Mungube et al 2008). Rural farmers are aware of the need to keep their flocks in good health. However, conventional drugs are either unavailable or too expensive for these resource-poor farmers, hence their dependence on EVM. The use of herbs and other medicinal plants is an integral part of ethnoveterinary practices. It is interesting to note that a number of medicinal plants found in different countries are used to cure the same ailments in livestock.

Knowledge on these indigenous livestock health management practices is passed on through oral education from older to younger generations. If not captured and documented, practices that are peculiar to certain ethnic groups or areas may be lost.

Growth in livestock sector can contribute to enhanced nutrition and poverty reduction in India, because a large share of the rural poor is dependent on poultry for food and income. Traditional medicines have the potential to improve the growth as well as health status of the livestock & birds. Ethno veterinary practices involve the traditional beliefs, knowledge, practices and skills pertaining to healthcare and management of livestock and poultry. Ethno-veterinary medicine (EVM) system, an indigenous knowledge on animal health is re-emerging as holistic animal health care.

India has a rich biodiversity of medicine plants. Many medicinal plants have been claimed to

be effective in modulating reproduction but the systematic scientific evidence regarding their

mechanism of action, dosage or clinical efficacy is lacking. Though incorporation of cheap, efficacious

and scientifically proven indigenous plant based medicines is needed, their safety needs to be

established.

Anoestrus may be defined as a prolonged period of sexual quiescence. It may be physiological (pubertal, a short interval post partum or during pregnancy)or pathological where the ovaries may either be quiescent (true anoestrus) or may contain a progesterone secreting luteal tissue due to some uterine pathology. Various methods for management of true anoestrus through alternative medicines have been suggested.

i) Herbal Preparation: Many indigenous preparations marketed by Indian Pharmaceuticals

have been used to manage delayed puberty, post partum anoestrus and for breeding during

off breeding seasons in domestic animals & yaks. The preparations include Prajana H.S

(Indian Herbs; Natural Remedies), Janova (Dabur Ayurvet), Aloes compound (Alarsar),

Fertivet (Ar Ex Labs), Sajani (Sarabhai), Heat-Up (Century), Heatraj (Rajan) etc. These

formulations are potent combination of herbs formulated scientifically to induce ovarian

activity. The proposed mechanism of action is similar to gonadotrophins. Though, a very high

success rates for inducing ovulatory estrus and subsequent conception were reported, their

clinical applicability and efficacy under field conditions, on a large cattle population, has not

been proved. However, supplementing essential amino acids, minerals and trace elements

with or without these preparations seems logical and encouraging results are expected.

ii) Pigeon Waste: The effect of feeding 100 gram dried powdered pigeon waste for three days

for inducing ovulatory estrus in anoestrus heifer and post partum cows was evaluated at IVRI.

The pigeon waste successfully induced estrus in 40 percent of cows and 44 percent of heifers

of which 71 and 50 percent, respectively, became pregnant. The estrus induction as well as

pregnancy rate was higher compared to that obtained after using allopathic medicines. The

determination of chemical composition of the pigeon waste was also done. Substantial

amount of copper, cobalt, lead, cadmium, zinc, iron and fluorine were present in the waste.

Substantiating the above findings the workers at G.B Pant University of Agriculture

and Technology reported very high concentration of Iron (48.5 Times) and Zinc(2.23 Times) in

pigeon waste as compared to standard Mineral Mixtures. The feeding of pigeon waste mixed

with feed in proportions equal to or higher increased growth of genital organs by 84.5 percent

in pre- pubertal Swiss mice. The work need to be substantiated on a larger group of animals.

ii) Garlic and Raspberry: The garlic plant or cloves were found effective for management of

infertility, prevention of abortion and cleansing action post abortion. The raspberry plant

(whole chopped) or leaves extract along with either chopped garlic plant or 4-5 cloves fed

twice daily to bovines reduced chances of post partum infertility. The raspberry leaves have

very high minerals and vitamin content.

iv) Ginseng plant has hormone balancing properties.

B) Retained Placenta: ——–

Retained placenta is an important post partum complication. The placenta may be retained

because of lack of expulsive forces or failure of separation of fetal cotyledons and maternal caruncles.

Since it has multiple etiologies, the therapy commonly advocated includes ecbolics, drugs and/or

hormones stimulating uterine contractility, minerals (mainly Ca & P), enzymes which may facilitate

placental separation and antibiotics along with supportive therapy. The herbal remedies may help in

uterine contractibility or have antimicrobial properties. Some of the herbs used have been

documented below:

ª Raspberry leaves when fed to pregnant mares during last 45 days of gestation reduced the

incidence of peri-parturient diseases viz prolonged labor, retained placenta. etc.

ª Garlic has cleansing action & helps expulsion of retained fetal membranes and placenta.

ª Thyme (Thymus serpillum) plant extract is useful in retained placenta and metritis.

ª Starwort (Helonias root) – plant found in North America has uterotonic properties and is

also indicated for threatened abortions.

ª The feeding of bamboo leaves mixed with oil bran or bajra grains helps in expulsion of

placenta.

ª The plant extract of Grewia ferrugina or Girardina bullosa were useful for easy expulsion of

placenta membranes.

ª The scientists of central arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, validated the claim that

chick pea floor mixed with butter milk (rabri) helped in expelling retained fetal membranes.

The parched chick pea floor (1 kg) mixed with buttermilk was fed to the affected animals (4

cows & 3 buffaloes). The placenta was expelled in majority (6/7) of the animals within 1-24

hrs of the treatment. The kheem (laptodenia pyrotecnica) roots, churmi (Abrus perkatorius),

chopped bamboo leaves or sticks and decoction prepared with black pepper, coriander,

ajwain, sonth and methi have also been used as cleansing drought by farmers of Rajsthan.

However, feeding of either banana inflorescence or baykhal (Principia utilis) twigs extract

was not effective for expulsion for retained placenta as claimed by some farmers of

Himachal Pradesh. An electuary prepared from liquid extract of ergot(8 ml), quinine sulphate

(4 g),Magnesium sulphate (200 g),pulv. gentians (16 g) and molasses is known cleansing

agent after parturition.

Homeopathic Medicines Uses———-

Sepia + calcaria phos+ pulsatilla +

alertis ferti + iodum ———Infertility

Sabina 200, Pulsatilla 200

Echinaca I M, Secale, Heper sulph, Silica ————–Metritis

Calc phos + carbo-veg +Sepia ————– Anti partum prolapsed

Aloes 200 ———-Morning diarrhoea with post-partum prolapsed

Agnus Castus 200 ———-White discharge after post partum prolapsed

Secale Cor 30 Violent straining

Podophylum 200 ———–Prolapse after staring at parturition

Iodum 30 ———— Anoestrus with small ovaries

Sepia 200 ————To regulate estrus cycle

Acid Nitric, Cantharis, Hydrastis, Mere cor,

Rhus tox ————-Vesicular Vaginitis

Sepia, Podophyllum Uterine prolapsed

Sepia, pulsatilla, calc. phos, Iodum

Oophorinum Repeat Breeding

Arnica, Sabina, Secale, Pulsatila, China,

Rhus tox. ———-Abortion in equines

Aconite 30 (1/2 hourly) Ipecac, Trillium, Amica ——— Miscarriage in bitches

NB: The power of homeopathic medicin in most of the cases in dairy cows should be given 200 and doses should be 10 globules TID orally in 40 size.

Though many homeopathic medicines have been recommended for management of reproductive disorders, the systemic studies to prove their efficacy have not been done

Antifertility Drugs: —–—

Some of the species of domestic/wild/semi wild animals have become hazards to either crops or may help spread diseases. These mainly include monkeys and stray dog. The invasive methods have been suggested for the control of their population. Some of the herbs effecting reproduction which might be useful are:

ª Vasicine: It holds the promise of being an ideal abortifecient by acting through the

promotion of synthesis or release of prostaglandins.

ª Azadirachta indica (Neem): The Na-nimbinate derived from neem has powerful

spermicidal activity.

ª Gossypol: a phenolic compound from cotton seed oil can produce aspermia and hinder

sperm motility.

ª Albizzia lebbeck: Inhibits ovulation through central neuro-humoral mechanisms.

ª Embelia vibes and Mentha avensis have anti-implantation activity through their anti-

prostaglandin action.

ª Centachroman, a research product of CDRI, derived from rhizomes of Curcuma longa

(turmeric), hampers reception of fertilized ovum by endometrium.

These sources of use of Veterinary herbal medicines are not so reliable. But this medical tradition of ancient India deserves a better recognition. Any attempt to understand and evaluate genuine Ayurvedic system of treatment on animals will be a futile exercise unless exhaustive, scientific & clinical studies are undertaken.

Herbal medication for Infertility : –———

For animals suffering repeat breeding, infertility or suboestrus or not coming to heat the following method has to be followed.

Administer orally Gheekumari (Aloe vera) 1-2 petals for 3 days in the empty

stomach. Administer orally sprouted chana dal (bengal gram) or sprouted bajra or

sprouted wheat 200 gm daily for 15 days. When signs of oestrus cycle is noticed

administer orally neem oil 100-150ml before taking the animal for insemination or

natural crossing (insemination shall be within 24 hours of noticing the symptom).

After insemination feed the animals with curry leaves about 2 handfull daily for a

week.

Herbal medication for Retention of Placenta: ——–

Symptoms: Non – shedding of placenta beyond 3-5 hours post-partum Treatment:

1.The leaves of two sesame plants (Sesamum indicum) about 250 gm are pounded

with 1000 ml of water and drenched; placenta would be shed in 1to 2 hours. OR

2.Seeds of sesame 100 gm and jaggery 100 gm are taken and pound together and made into bolus and administered orally. OR

3. Take Bada goksur (Peadlium murex) plant about 200 gm, pound and soaked in 1000 ml of water and stir well and drenched.

Herbal medication for Prolapse of the Uterus: ——–

Treatment: Clean the mass with sugar added water or any antiseptic lotion. Lift the mass by placing banana leaf with both hands (special care must be taken to avoid laceration or tear with nails, and hand must be washed in the antiseptic lotion). Mostly the urinary bladder will be filled. After lifting of the mass urine will easily go out and the mass will easily go inside.

Leaves of touch me not /Chhui-Mui ( Mimosa pudica) whole plant two handfuls are

ground well and mixed with 200 ml goat’s milk to be administered orally for three

times (morning, evening and next day morning). Keep the animal in a slightly slanting

position in such a way that keeping the head portion in a lower level at least for a

week.

Herbs can be used as a good alternative therapeutic aid to costly allopathic medicines/chemotherapy and boosting immune functions in intoxicated conditions and can also effectively complement allopathic medicines in diseased state. Detailed scientific validation on these in livestock would be a worthful research in future. Ethnoveterinary practices using plant products are effective against some diseases. These plant products are locally available and free or very cheap. These will all together improve prospects of this traditional wealth towards modern medicines, drugs and health care products derived from their origin to improve the market potential and commercialization aspects at global level.

Reference-on request