Effects of starter feed with different proportions of alfalfa on growth performance, serum indexes, and intestinal development of lambs aged 15 to 54 days.

WANG Yan; CHEN Xiang-yu; MA Wen-bin; YUAN Cen; LIU Yan-feng; LI Chang-qing; ZHANG Zhi-jun; WANG Wen-qi

The experiment aimed to explore the effects of starter feed with different proportions of alfalfa on the growth performance, serum indexes, and intestinal development of Hu sheep lambs aged 15 to 54 days. A total of 48 Hu sheep lambs with an average body weight of (4.22±0.35) kg from the second parity twins were randomly divided into three groups, with four replicates per group and four sheep per replicate. Each group was fed starter feed containing 10%, 20%, and 30% alfalfa, respectively. The experiment lasted for 40 days. The results showed that at 54 days of age, the body weight of lambs in the 30% alfalfa group was higher than that of the other groups (P>0.05). From 45 to 49 days of age, the average daily feed intake (ADFI) of the 20% alfalfa group was significantly higher than that of the 10% alfalfa group (P<0.05). The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the 20% and 30% alfalfa groups were significantly lower than those in the 10% alfalfa group (P<0.05), and the serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in the 20% and 30% alfalfa groups were significantly higher than those in the 10% alfalfa group (P<0.05). The total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the intestines of the 10% alfalfa group were significantly higher than those in the other groups (P<0.05). The creatine kinase (CK) activity in the 20% and 30% alfalfa groups was significantly lower than that in the 10% alfalfa group (P<0.05), and the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in the 20% and 30% alfalfa groups was significantly higher than that in the 10% alfalfa group (P<0.05). The villus length of the duodenum in the 20% alfalfa group and the crypt depth in the duodenum of the 30% alfalfa group were significantly higher than those in the other groups (P<0.05). The study indicates that feeding starter feed containing 10% and 20% alfalfa can enhance the body's immune and antioxidant capabilities, and promote the development of duodenal tissue. It is recommended that the content of alfalfa in the starter feed for lambs aged 15 to 54 days should not exceed 20%.

OXIDANT status; ALFALFA as feed; CREATINE kinase; LACTATE dehydrogenase; SUPEROXIDE dismutase; INTERLEUKIN-4; GLUTATHIONE peroxidase

Feed Research, 2024, Vol 47, Issue 23, p8

1002-2813

Academic Journal

10.13557/j.cnki.issn1002-2813.2024.21.002