Effects Of Dietary Astragalus And Codonopsis Stem And Leaf Powder On Growth Performance,Immune Function And Gut Health Of Broilers

Astragalus membranaceus and codonopsis radix are mainly used as medicine.In the process of planting and production,a large number of wastes are generated,resulting in a serious waste of resources,and these wastes contain nutrients and active substances similar to the roots.This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of Radix Astragalus and Radix codonopsis stem and leaf powder with similar pharmacological effects on performance,immune function,serum antioxidant indices,serum biochemistry and intestinal health of broilers.A total of 432 1-day-old healthy white feathered broilers were randomly divided into 6 groups.Were fed corn-soybean meal-mixed grain type(control group),control group containing 1% Astragalus root and leaf powder(group Ⅱ),1% codonopsis root and leaf powder(group Ⅲ),1%Astragalus root and leaf powder +1% codonopsis root and leaf powder(group Ⅳ),2%Astragalus root and leaf powder +1% Codonopsis root and leaf powder(group Ⅴ),3%Astragalus root and leaf powder +1% Codonopsis root and leaf powder(group Ⅵ),respectively.There were 6 replicates in each group.The experiment lasted for 42 days and was divided into early stage(1-21 days)and late stage(22-42 days).The main results are as follows:(1)The ratio of feed to gain of broilers in each feeding stage was significantly lower than that in control group when diets supplemented with Radix Astragalus stem and leaf meal alone and Radix codonopsis stem and leaf meal at different proportions and mixed supplemented with Radix Codonopsis stem and leaf meal at different proportions(P<0.05).At 22-42 days and 1-42 days,the average body weight gain of 2%Astragalus stem and leaf powder +1% Codonopsis stem and leaf powder was significantly higher than that of group Ⅰ(P<0.05),but there was no significant difference in slaughter performance among all groups(P>0.05).(2)Diets supplemented with 1% Astragalus stem and leaf meal +1% codonopsis stem and leaf meal,2% Astragalus stem and leaf meal +1% Codonopsis stem and leaf meal and 3% Astragalus stem and leaf meal +1% Codonopsis stem and leaf meal significantly increased the thymus index of broilers(P<0.05).Diets supplemented with 1% Astragalus root and leaf powder +1% codonopsis stem and leaf powder + 3%Astragalus root and leaf powder +1% Codonopsis stem and leaf powder significantly increased the content of interleukin-4 in serum of broilers(P<0.05),and diets supplemented with 3% Astragalus root and leaf powder +1% Codonopsis stem and leaf powder significantly increased the content of tumor necrosis factor-A in serum of broilers(P<0.05).(3)Diet supplemented with 2% Astragalus stem and leaf meal +1% codonopsis stem and leaf meal and 1% Astragalus stem and leaf meal +1% Codonopsis stem and leaf meal significantly increased the content of superoxide dismutase in serum of broilers(P<0.05).Diets supplemented with 2% Astragalus root and leaf meal +1%codonopsis root and leaf meal,3% Astragalus root and leaf meal +1% Codonopsis root and leaf meal and 1% Astragalus root and leaf meal significantly increased the total antioxidant capacity in serum of broilers(P<0.05).(4)Diets supplemented with 1% Astragalus root and leaf meal,1% codonopsis root and leaf meal,1% Astragalus root and leaf meal +1% codonopsis stem and leaf meal,2% Astragalus root and leaf meal +1% Codonopsis stem and leaf meal and 3%Astragalus root and leaf meal +1% Codonopsis stem and leaf meal significantly decreased the contents of triglyceride and total cholesterol in serum of broilers(P<0.05).(5)Diets supplemented with 2% Astragalus root and leaf powder +1%Codonopsis root and leaf powder significantly increased the villus length and villus height/crypt depth of duodenum,jejunum villus length and crypt depth,ileum villus length and crypt depth of broilers(P<0.05).The expression levels of Claudin mRNA and ZO-1 mRNA in jejunum of broilers were significantly increased(P<0.05).Chao1 index of cecal microbial Alpha diversity of broilers was significantly increased(P<0.05),but there was no significant difference in microflora at the phylum and genus levels of cecal of broilers(P>0.05).In conclusion,dietary supplementation of 2% Astragalus stem and leaf meal +1%Codonopsis stem and leaf meal can improve performance and antioxidant capacity of broilers,enhance immune function,reduce serum total cholesterol and triglyceride contents,improve lipid metabolism and promote gut health of broilers.