Dietary supplementation with milk thistle (Silybum marianum) and green anise (Pimpinella anisum) modulates milk nutritional profile and gene expression in grazing goats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with milk thistle (Silybum marianum) and green anise (Pimpinella anisum) on milk yield, milk nutritional characteristics, and the expression of selected candidate genes related to milk production, lipid metabolism, and antioxidant defence in grazing dairy goats. Twenty-four goats, homogeneous in parity, body weight, days in milk, and milk yield, were randomly allocated to three experimental groups: control (C), anise (A), and thistle (T). All goats grazed pasture and received corn supplementation in the barn, while groups A and T were additionally supplemented with 15 g/head/day of green anise or milk thistle, respectively. Significant differences among groups were observed: milk yield increased in A and T goats; milk percentages of fat and lactose were reduced in A and T goats, and milk fatty acid profile was improved in both herbal experimental groups. Gene expression analysis revealed significant improvements only for antioxidant-related genes. Overall, these findings indicate that supplementation with milk thistle and green anise can enhance milk yield and modulate antioxidant gene expression in grazing dairy goats.