China Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine ›› 2024, Vol. 51 ›› Issue (7): 2799-2809.doi: 10.16431/j.cnki.1671-7236.2024.07.007

• Nutritionand Feed • Previous Articles    

Effects of Alfalfa Saponin Extract on Immunity,Antioxidant Capacity and Rumen Microflora of Weaned Hu Sheep

ZHANG Yan1, MA Sen1,2,3, LI Shouren1, HUANGFU Weikang1, LA Shaokai1, MA Jixiang1, WANG Zhichang1,2,3, SHI Yinghua1,2,3   

  1. 1. College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China;
    2. Henan Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources Innovation and Utilization, Zhengzhou 450002, China;
    3. Henan Provincial Forage Engineering Technology Research Center, Zhengzhou 450002, China
  • Received:2023-11-13 Published:2024-07-03

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Abstract: 【Objective】 As a natural bioactive substance,alfalfa saponins have many effects,such as improving immunity,promoting growth,and regulating the gastrointestinal function of livestock and poultry.The experiment was aimed to investigate the effects of alfalfa saponin extract on the growth performance,immune function,antioxidant capacity and rumen microflora of weaned Hu sheep.【Method】 Thirty-two 45-day-old weaned Hu sheep with similar body weight (15.67 kg±1.18 kg) were randomly divided into 2 groups with 4 replicates per group and 4 sheep per replicate.Hu sheep in control group (CON) were fed a conventional diet,and Hu sheep in saponins group (AS) were fed a basal diet supplemented with 2 g/kg (dry matter basis of the diet) of alfalfa saponin extract.The pre-trial period was 7 days,and the trial period was 60 days.At the end of the experiment,the rumen fluid of weaned Hu sheep was collected to determine the microbial composition,and the jugular vein blood was collected to determine the serum immune,and antioxidant performance-related indicators.【Result】 ①There was no significant difference in average daily gain (ADG) and feed/gain (F/G) between CON and AS groups of Hu sheep (P＞0.05).②Compared with CON group,the levels of immunoglobulin (IgA and IgM),anti-inflammatory factor interleukin-10 (IL-10),CD4+T cells,and CD4/CD8 in serum of Hu sheep in AS group were extremely significantly or significantly increased (P＜0.01 or P＜0.05),while the levels of pro-inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IL-6 were extremely significantly decreased (P＜0.01).③Compared with CON group,the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in serum of Hu sheep in AS group was significantly increased (P＜0.05),while the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) was extremely significantly decreased (P＜0.01).④There were no significant differences in rumen fluid pH,ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N),volatile fatty acids,and total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) concentrations between CON and AS groups (P＞0.05).⑤ There was no significant difference in Shannon index,Simpson index,and principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) between CON and AS groups.At the genus level,the relative abundance of sulfate-reducing bacteria Desulfovibrio,beneficial bacteria Roseburia, Eubacterium_ventriosum_group,etc. in rumen fluid of Hu sheep in AS group was significantly higher than that in CON group (P＜0.05).【Conclusion】 Adding alfalfa saponin extract to the diet could affect the composition of rumen microorganisms in weaned Hu sheep,improve the body’s immunity and antioxidant capacity,and was beneficial to the health of the body to a certain extent.

Key words: weaned Hu sheep; alfalfa saponins extract; immune function; antioxidant capacity; rumen microorganisms

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