China Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Medicine ›› 2025, Vol. 52 ›› Issue (11): 5235-5242.doi: 10.16431/j.cnki.1671-7236.2025.11.020

• Nutrition and Feed • Previous Articles    

Progress on the Application of Chinese Herbal Medicine in Mutton Sheep Production

LIU Hui1, AN Xiaoya1, LEI Chuzhao2   

  1. 1. Gansu Polytechnic College of Animal Husbandry & Engineering, Wuwei 733006, China;
    2. Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
  • Received:2025-01-10 Published:2025-10-30

Abstract: Chinese herbal medicine contains rich nutrients and functional components,including organic components such as flavonoids,saponins,alkaloids and chlorogenic acid.Chinese herbal medicines are widely sourced,safe and reliable,economical and environmentally friendly,and has various functions such as regulating gastrointestinal functions,inhibiting bacteria and reducing inflammation,and enhancing immunity.They are of great significance for improving the production performance and health level of ruminant animals.In terms of production performance,Chinese herbal medicine can increase average daily weight gain,feed intake,serum total protein content,digestibility of dry matter and crude protein,and improve the rumen fermentation function of sheep.In terms of slaughter performance and meat quality,Chinese herbal medicine can improve carcass weight,slaughter rate,meat quality,fatty acid content,and reduce dripping loss rate,shear force and backfat thickness.In terms of immune function,Chinese herbal medicine can improve the immune indexes such as IgA,IgG and IgM in the serum of mutton sheep and reduce the diarrhea rate of lambs.In terms of reproductive performance,Chinese herbal medicines can increase the sperm production volume,sperm density and sperm vitality of rams,while promoting the estrus of ewes,improving the total conception rate of ewes and the birth weight of lambs,and reducing the rate of weak lambs and the mortality rate of lambs.Based on the research results of Chinese herbal medicine in recent years,the author summarized and classified the common biological functions and action mechanisms of Chinese herbal medicine.Moreover,the author elaborated on the application and effect of Chinese herbal medicine in aspects such as the production performance,immune function,and reproductive performance of sheep.At the same time,the problems existing in the current development and application of Chinese herbal medicine were explored,and the future research directions of Chinese herbal medicine were also envisioned,with the aim of providing a reference for the rational application of Chinese herbal medicine in sheep production.

Key words: Chinese herbal medicine; mutton sheep; biological function

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