Medicinal extract has been chronicled extensively in traditional Chinese medicine. Isoquinoline alkaloids, extract of Macleaya cordata (Willd.) R. Br., have been used as feed additive in both swine and poultry. Dietary supplementation with isoquinoline alkaloids increases feed intake and weight gain. In addition, recent researches have demonstrated that isoquinoline alkaloids can regulate metabolic processes, innate immune system, and digestive functioning in animals. This review summarizes the latest scientific researches on isoquinoline alkaloids which are extracted from Macleaya cordata (Willd.) R. Br. This review specifically focuses on its role as a feed supplement and its associated impact on growth performance and innate immune system, as well as its capacity to act as a substitute for oral antibiotics.
This study was conducted to determine the effects of Agave fourcroydes powder as a dietary supplement on the growth performance, gut morphology, serum concentration of IgG, and the hematology parameters of broiler rabbits. A total of 32 rabbits [New Zealand × Californian] were weaned at 35 days. They were randomly selected for two dietary treatments (eight repetitions per treatment), which consisted of a basal diet and a basal diet supplemented with 1.5% dried-stem powder of A. fourcroydes. On day 60 from the initiation of treatment, gut histomorphology (duodenum and cecum), serum concentration of IgG, and hematology parameters were all measured. The results showed that A. fourcroydes powder supplementation improved (P < 0.05) the ADFI, ADG, and final BW. Correspondingly, this treatment increased (P < 0.05) the muscle and mucosa thickness and height and width of villi. However, duodenum crypts depth was lower (P < 0.05) when rabbits were fed with this natural product, compared with the basal diet treatment. Results also indicated that the A. fourcroydes powder increased (P < 0.05) the serum concentration of IgG but did not change the hematology parameters. This data indicates that A. fourcroydes powder, as a supplement, had beneficial effects on increasing the growth performance and serum concentration of IgG, as well as improving the gut morphology without affecting the hematology parameters in broiler rabbits.
Con el propósito de determinar el grado de aceptabilidad de la harina de coco desgrasada suministrada como alimento único e incorporado en diferentes niveles en la dieta para conejos, fueron realizados dos experimentos en los que se emplearon diseños bloques al azar. En el primer experimento los tratamientos fueron: T1 harina de maíz, T2 harina de alfalfa y T3 harina de coco desgrasada; para el segundo, los tratamientos consistieron en el suministro de las dietas con la inclusión de 0, 10, 20, 30 y 40 % de harina de coco desgrasada. En los dos estudios se utilizaron conejos machos de la raza chinchilla de 80 días de edad, con un peso promedio de 2150 ±103 g, 21 y 35 animales respectivamente. Se observó una conducta similar en las variables intento de consumo y consumo de alimentos, tanto cuando se suministró la harina de coco desgrasada como alimento único como cuando se mezcló con otros ingredientes. Los animales realizaron intentos de consumo durante casi las 24 h, con los mayores intentos de consumo en el horario nocturno. Los animales muestran la mayor aceptación por las dietas del 10 % de inclusión de harina de coco desgrasada. Los resultados sugieren que la harina de coco desgrasada es un subproducto agroindustrial con potencialidades para ser incorporada en las dietas de conejos y sustituir alimentos convencionales tradicionalmente empleados en los piensos elaborados para esta especie.
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