China Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine ›› 2024, Vol. 51 ›› Issue (7): 2871-2879.doi: 10.16431/j.cnki.1671-7236.2024.07.013

• Nutritionand Feed • Previous Articles    

Effect of Dietary Addition of Soy Isoflavones on Production and Reproductive Performance of Angus Beef Cattle

DING Hui1, LIU Xin1, WANG Ruiling1, MAO Yongxia1, WANG Jiandong2, GUO Yansheng1   

  1. 1. College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750000, China;
    2. Institute of Animal Science, Ningxia Academy of Agriculture and Forestry, Yinchuan 750000, China
  • Received:2023-12-28 Published:2024-07-03

Abstract: 【Objective】 The aim of this experiment was to study the effects of adding different levels of soy isoflavones to feed rations on the growth performance,serum biochemical indexes,antioxidant capacity,immune performance and reproductive hormones of Angus beef cattle,and explore the appropriate amount of soy isoflavones to be used in the practice of beef cattle production.【Method】 Forty healthy Angus heifers with similar body weight and 2-3 lactations were randomly divided into 4 groups of 10 heifers each.The cattle in control group was fed a basal diet,while cattle in groups Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ were given 10,20 and 40 mg/kg of soy isoflavones in diet,respectively.The cattle were weighed at the beginning and at the end of the experiment,and the feed intake was recorded daily to calculate the average daily feed intake (ADFI),average daily gain (ADG) and feed-to-gain ratio (F/G).At 40th days,blood samples were collected for the detection of serum biochemistry,antioxidant,immune indexes and reproductive hormone level.【Result】 Compared with control group,①The addition of soy isoflavones in each experiment group had no significant effect on ADFI,ADG and F/G in Angus beef cattle (P>0.05).② The total protein content of bovine serum in groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ was significantly increased (P<0.05),and the glutamine aminotransferase activity was significantly decreased (P<0.05).The contents of total protein and globulin of bovine serum in group Ⅲ were extremely significantly increased (P<0.01),and the activities of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and glutamic alanine aminotransferase were extremely significantly decreased (P<0.01).The levels of immunoglobulin (IgA,IgM and IgG) and interferon-γ of bovine serum in group Ⅲ were extremely significantly or significantly increased (P<0.01 or P<0.05).③The total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity of bovine serum in group Ⅱ were extremely significantly increased (P<0.01).The T-AOC,GSH-Px and superoxide dismutase levels of bovine serum in group Ⅲ were extremely significantly increased (P<0.01),and the malondialdehyde content was extremely significantly decreased (P<0.01).④ The estradiol level of bovine serum in group Ⅱ was significantly increased (P<0.05).The levels of progesterone,estradiol,follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone of bovine serum in group Ⅲ were extremely significantly increased (P<0.01).【Conclusion】 Addition of soy isoflavones to feed was found to be effective in improving the immune function and reproductive performance of Angus beef cattle,and the best results were obtained at a level of 40 mg/kg.

Key words: Angus beef cattle; soy isoflavones; growth performance; immune function; antioxidant capacity

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