Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p> The present study was aimed at evaluating the effects of dietary supplementation of shatavari ( <italic>Asparagus racemosus</italic> ) root powder on metabolic status, productive performance and postpartum health in transition Sahiwal cows. Twenty healthy pregnant Sahiwal cows between the 2nd − 5th parities were randomly divided into two groups, comprising 10 animals in each group. In the treatment group, shatavari root powder was supplemented with the normal diet at the rate of 150 mg/kg body weight during the last 60 days prepartum and 300 mg/kg body weight during the first 90 days postpartum. Blood samples collected from 4 weeks prepartum to 12 weeks postpartum were analyzed for blood metabolites [non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyrate (β-HBA), glucose and blood urea nitrogen (BUN)] and hormones (growth hormone and cortisol). Dry matter intake (DMI), body condition score (BCS), body weight, milk production, milk composition, reproductive performance and postpartum health were also recorded. Shatavari supplementation significantly ( <italic>P</italic> < 0.05) increased plasma GH, glucose, DMI, BCS, body weight gain, and milk yield while significantly reducing ( <italic>P</italic> < 0.05) cortisol, BUN, NEFA, and β-HBA. Milk fat percentage was significantly lower ( <italic>P</italic> < 0.05) in the supplemented group, whereas protein and lactose did not differ significantly between groups. Reproductive parameters, including first postpartum estrus, days to first service, open period, and services per conception, showed numerical improvement, as well as a significantly higher ( <italic>P</italic> < 0.05) conception rate observed in the supplemented group. Our findings suggest that dietary supplementation of Shatavari root powder improves metabolic adaptation, enhances productive performance and supports postpartum health in Sahiwal cows. </p>