Astragalus root extract improved average daily gain, immunity, antioxidant status and ruminal microbiota of early weaned yak calves

Abstract

BACKGROUND Early weaning in yak calves is being attempted to improve yak reproduction rate. However, this has to be done with caution because of the high mortality rate of calves due to the lack of nutrients and the harsh environmental conditions. Twenty‐four weaned male yak calves were used in a 60 day feeding trial in which astragalus root extract (ARE) was supplemented. They were assigned randomly to one of four dietary treatments (n = six per treatment) that differed in ARE level: 0 g kg−1 (control), ARE0; 20 g kg−1, ARE20; 50 g kg−1, ARE50; and 80 g kg−1 dry matter intake (DMI), ARE80. RESULTS Final bodyweight and average daily gain (ADG) were significantly higher and the DMI/ADG ratio was significantly lower in calves with ARE supplementation than control (ARE0) calves. Ruminal concentrations of acetate and propionate and serum concentration of superoxide dismutase in ARE80 calves were higher than in the other groups and serum concentration of insulin was higher in ARE80 calves than in ARE20 calves. Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) concentrations in ARE‐fed calves were higher than in controls. Serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF‐α) concentration was higher in ARE50 and ARE80 groups than ARE0 calves and serum interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) concentration was higher in ARE80 than in ARE0 calves. Serum immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgG and immunoglobulin M (IgM) concentrations increased with age in ARE‐fed calves. ARE supplementation increased the abundance of fiber degrading bacteria. CONCLUSION ARE at a dosage of 5% to 8% DMI can be supplemented to early weaned yak calves to improve growth performance, antioxidant capacity and immunity. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry

Productive Performance, Carcass Traits, and Meat Quality in Finishing Lambs Supplemented with a Polyherbal Mixture

“…Previous studies have reported that digestion and utilization of nutrients in the diet of ruminants could be improved by dietary supplementation of saponins [12,45], and plants containing saponins, polysaccharides and flavonoids [41]. However, in our study, a negative effect of HM on DM digestibility was observed.…”

“…Some plants containing saponins, polysaccharides and flavonoids have shown positive effects on antioxidant capacity and immune status in ruminants [8,41]. In addition, saponins have been reported to improve the energy utilization efficiency and increase the duodenal flux of amino acids and microbial protein [11].…”

“…In that study, BW was not affected, but DWG was higher in the treatments supplemented with Astragalus membranaceus, perhaps as a consequence of the beneficial effects that the saponins, flavonoids and polysaccharides of the plant had on the antioxidant and immune status, and on the serum concentration of growth hormone in the animals. Some plants containing saponins, polysaccharides and flavonoids increase the relative abundance of fibre-degrading bacteria in the rumen [41]. This could result in higher fibre and feed digestibility and could also increase ruminal passage rate and dry matter intake.…”

Astragalus membranaceus Alters Rumen Bacteria to Enhance Fiber Digestion, Improves Antioxidant Capacity and Immunity Indices of Small Intestinal Mucosa, and Enhances Liver Metabolites for Energy Synthesis in Tibetan Sheep

“…DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and sequencing data analysis followed Wei et al (2021) [ 9 ]. One mL of thawed rumen fluid was used for DNA extraction using TIANamp DNA Kit (Tiangen Biotech Co., Ltd., Beijing, China).…”

Effects of Management, Dietary Intake, and Genotype on Rumen Morphology, Fermentation, and Microbiota, and on Meat Quality in Yaks and Cattle

“…The products were purified, quantified, and homogenized to form a sequencing library. The targets in the V3-V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene were amplified using 338F (5 ′ -ACTCCTACGGGAGGCAGCA-3 ′ ) and 806R (5 ′ -GGACTACHVGGGTWTCTAAT-3 ′ ), as reported by Wei et al (8). Phusion High-Fidelity PCR Master Mix and GC Buffer were used for PCR reaction.…”