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This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of astragalus polysaccharides (Aps) and ginseng polysaccharide (Gps) on growth performance, liver function, immune function, TLR4 signalling pathways and intestinal barrier in weaned piglets challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In an experiment spanning 28 days, 180 weaned piglets were randomly divided into three treatment groups: basal diet (Con), basal diet supplemented with 800 mg/kg Gps (Gps) and basal diet supplemented with 800 mg/kg Aps (Aps). At the end of the experiment, 12 piglets of each group were selected; half (n = 6) were intraperitoneally injected with LPS and half with normal saline. Dietary supplementation with Aps and Gps significantly increased (p < .05) the average daily gain and feed conversion rate. Lipopolysaccharide challenge increased (p < .05) expression of serum urea nitrogen (BUN), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and tumour inflammatory factor‐α (TNF‐α), but decreased (p < .05) serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) level, total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) expression. Lipopolysaccharide‐challenged piglets fed with Aps or Gps had lower (p < .05) BUN, ALT, AST, IL‐1β and TNF‐α levels and greater (p < .05) SOD, T‐AOC and IgA levels. Lipopolysaccharide challenge increased (p < .05) the expression of TLR4, MyD88 and NF‐κB, and LPS‐challenged piglets fed diets supplemented with Aps or Gps increased TLR4 and MyD88 and decreased NF‐κB expression. Lipopolysaccharide challenge reduced (p < .05) the jejunal villus height, and piglets fed with Aps or Gps had increased (p < .05) jejunal villus height. Supplementation with Aps or Gps enhanced the expression of occludin and claudin in challenged or unchallenged piglets. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with Aps or Gps enhanced piglet growth performance, alleviated liver dysfunction and reduced immunological stress caused by LPS, as well as increased the intestinal barrier function.

Antibiotic resistance is a major issue in animal industries and antibiotic-free alternatives are needed to treat infectious diseases and improve performance of pigs. Plant extracts have been suggested as a potential solution. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of Astragalus polysaccharides (Aps) and ginseng polysaccharide (Gps) on growth performance, intestinal morphology, immune function, volatile fatty acids (VFAs), and microfloral community in weaned piglets. A total of 180 weaned piglets were randomly divided into three treatment groups during a 28-days feeding experiment, including a basal diet (Con), basal diet supplemented with 800 mg/kg Aps (Aps), and basal diet supplemented with 800 mg/kg Gps (Gps). Results showed that both Aps and Gps increased body weight, average daily gain and feed conversion rate, and reduced the rate of diarrhea. Gps also decreased aspartate aminotransferase compared to the Con piglets after 14 days. No significant effects on alanine aminotransferase were observed. Both Aps and Gps piglets exhibited higher serum immunoglobulin M levels after 14 and 28 days, and also decreased jejunal crypt depth, increased jejunal villus length and villus height/crypt depth ratio, and increased expression of toll-like receptor 4, myeloid differentiation primary response 88, nuclear factor-kappa B proteins in the jejunum. Aps and Gps piglets also had higher concentrations of acetic acid, isobutyric acid, and butyrate in their colon. Data of high-throughput sequencing revealed that Aps and Gps affected bacterial quantity and diversity in the colon. Species richness and evenness were higher in both Aps and Gps piglets than the control piglets. Aps and Gps piglets also had a higher relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae and Anaerostipes , and the Aps piglets had a higher relative abundance of Lactobacillus gasseri and L. amylovorus . Therefore, dietary supplementation with Aps and Gps could be beneficial for optimizing the performance of industry pigs and reducing dependence on antibiotics. Furthermore, Plant polysaccharides play a great role in promoting the sustainable development of animal husbandry.

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