Effects of Platycladus orientalis Leaf Extract on the Growth Performance, Fur-Production, Serum Parameters, and Intestinal Microbiota of Raccoon Dogs
Author:
Li Xiao12ORCID, Chen Xiaoli12, Yuan Weitao12, Zhang Xiuli3, Mao Aipeng12, Zhao Weigang12, Yao Naiquan4, Deng Xuming3, Xu Chao12
Affiliation:
1. Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 4899 Juye Street, Changchun 130112, China 2. Innovation Center for Feeding and Utilization of Special Animals in Jinlin Province and Research Center for Microbial Feed Engineering of Special Animals in Jilin Province, 4899 Juye Street, Changchun 130112, China 3. College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China 4. College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Abstract
Platycladus orientalis leaves are rich in flavonoids and polysaccharides, which offer high medicinal and nutritional benefits. This study aimed to investigate the impact of P. orientalis leaf extract (PLE) on the growth performance, fur quality, serum parameters, and intestinal microbiota of raccoon dogs. Sixty healthy male black raccoon dogs, aged 85 (±5) days, were randomly assigned to four groups and fed a basal diet supplemented with 0, 0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 g/kg PLE for 125 days (designated as groups P0, P1, P2, and P3, respectively). The results revealed that the raccoon dogs in group P1 exhibited increased average daily gain and underfur length while showing a decreased feed/gain ratio compared to group P0 (p < 0.05). However, the heart index in group P2 was significantly lower than in group P0 (p < 0.05), and the kidney index and serum alanine aminotransferase activities in group P3 were higher than in groups P2 and P0 (p < 0.05), suggesting potential adverse effects at higher PLE dosages. Notably, dietary PLE supplementation led to a reduction in serum glucose concentrations (p < 0.05), which may have implications for glucose regulation. Furthermore, the study explored the impact of dietary supplementation with 0.25 g/kg PLE on the raccoon dogs’ intestinal microbiota using high-throughput sequencing. The results showed significant alterations in the microbial community structure, with a notable decrease in the abundance of Prevotella copri in response to 0.25 g/kg PLE supplementation (p < 0.05). In conclusion, supplementing raccoon dogs’ diet with 0.25 g/kg PLE can lead to improved growth performance and a positive influence on the intestinal microbiota. However, caution should be exercised regarding higher dosages, as they may have adverse effects on certain parameters. As a result, PLE holds promise as a potential feed additive for fur animal production.
Funder
National Key Research and Development Program Department of Education of Jilin Province Science and Technology Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Subject
General Veterinary,Animal Science and Zoology
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