China Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Medicine ›› 2025, Vol. 52 ›› Issue (10): 4652-4662.doi: 10.16431/j.cnki.1671-7236.2025.10.011

• Nutrition and Feed • Previous Articles    

Effects of Compound Chinese Herbal Preparations on Growth Performance and Serum Indices in Lactating Hu Lambs

WANG Yan1,2, LIU Yanfeng1,2, LIU Limeng1,2, LI Lingui1,2, YANG Zhenxiang1,2, WANG Wenqi1,2, YANG Huiguo1,3   

  1. 1. Feed Research Institute, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Academy of Animal Science, Urumqi 830011, China;
    2. Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Herbivorous Livestock Feed Biotechnology, Urumqi 830011, China;
    3. Institute of Animal Science, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Academy of Animal Science, Urumqi 830011, China
  • Received:2025-02-07 Published:2025-09-30

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Abstract: 【Objective】 To investigate the optimal inclusion ratio of a compound Chinese herbal preparation primarily composed of Astragalus membranaceus,Saposhnikovia divaricata,Atractylodes macrocephala,and other ingredients in the early rearing of lambs,providing a reference for the efficient application of Chinese herbal medicine in livestock production.【Method】 120 healthy 8-day-old twin Hu lambs with similar body weights (4.64 kg±0.34 kg) were selected by the trial and randomly divided into four groups:Control group (CK,basal diet),0.2% group (basal diet+0.2% compound Chinese herbal medicine),0.4% group (basal diet+0.4% compound Chinese herbal medicine),and 0.6% group (basal diet+0.6% compound Chinese herbal medicine).The adaptation period lasted for 7 days,followed by a 45-day formal trial period.At the end of the trial,growth performance was measured,and serum samples were collected to determine biochemical parameters,immune indices,antioxidant indicators,and growth hormone levels.【Result】 ①Lambs in 0.2% group exhibited significantly higher body weights at 45 and 60 days of age compared to other groups (P＜0.05),along with significantly greater starter feed intake and average daily gain over the entire trial period (P＜0.05).②Serum urea nitrogen (UREA) levels in 0.6% group were significantly lower than those in CK group (P＜0.05),while no significant differences were observed in total protein (TP),albumin (ALB),total cholesterol (TC),triglycerides (TG),glucose (GLU) levels,or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity across groups (P＞0.05).③Lambs in three Chinese herbal medicine supplementation groups exhibited significantly higher serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity compared to CK group (P＜0.05). 0.6% group showed significantly elevated glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity relative to both CK and 0.2% groups (P＜0.05).Additionally,serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly lower in three experimental groups than that in CK group (P＜0.05).④No significant differences in serum immunoglobulin A (IgA),IgG or IgM levels were observed among groups (P＞0.05).Herbal-supplemented groups exhibited significantly reduced serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels compared to CK group (P＜0.05).⑤Serum growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrations in 0.2%,0.4%,and 0.6% groups were significantly higher than those in CK group (P＜0.05).【Conclusion】 The addition of a compound Chinese herbal preparation primarily composed of Astragalus membranaceus,Saposhnikovia divaricata,Atractylodis macrocephalae,and other herbs to the diet of lactating Hu lambs could improve growth performance,enhance serum immunity and antioxidant capacity,and stimulate growth hormone secretion.Based on a comprehensive evaluation,it was recommended to add 0.2% of the compound herbal formulation to the diet of lactating lambs for optimal results.

Key words: compound Chinese herbal medicine; lamb; growth performance; serum biochemistry

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