Effects of crude extract of Codonopsis pilosula and Astragalus membranaceus on growth performance and intestinal morphology of Sanhuang chickens
The purpose of this experiment was to explore the effects of crude extract of Codonopsis pilosula and Astragalus membranaceus(CAE)on growth performance,serum biochemical index,immune organ index,and intestinal morphology of Sanhuang chickens.A total of 360 one-day-old Guangxi Sanhuang chicks weighing(27.0±0.5)g and in good physiological condition were randomly divided into three groups with six replicates in each group and 20 chickens in each replicate.CON group was fed a basal diet,CAE group was fed basal diet with 2.5 g/kg crude extract of Codonopsis pilosula and Astragalus membranaceus,and ANT group was fed basal diet with 0.05 g/kg chlortetracycline.The trial period was 42 days.The results showed that compared with CON group,the final weight and average daily gain of CAE group and ANT group increased significantly(P<0.05),the feed-to-weight ratio decreased significantly(P<0.05),and the mortality rate decreased by 3.33%(P>0.05).Compared with CON group,the activity of aspartate aminotransferase and the content of triglyceride and cholesterol in serum of CAE group and ANT group decreased significantly(P<0.05).Compared with CON group,CAE group and ANT group had significantly higher French capsule index(P<0.05).Compared with CON group,the villus height and villus-saphenous ratio of twelve intestines in CAE group and ANT group were significantly higher(P<0.05).The study indicates that the crude extract of Codonopsis pilosula and Astragalus membranaceus has positive effects on the growth performance,serum biochemical index,immune organ index and intestinal morphology of Sanhuang chickens,which was equivalent to the application effect of antibiotics.
Sanhuang chickenscrude extract of Codonopsis pilosula and Astragalus membranaceusgrowth performanceserum biochemical indeximmune organ indexintestinal morphology