RESEARCH PAPER

Effects of Dietary Replacement of Alfalfa Meal by Fermented Xanthoceras sorbifolia Leaves on Growth Performance, Immune Function, Meat Quality and Antioxidant Function of Rabbits

  • ZHANG Xuhui ,
  • SUN Zhiyuan ,
  • LI Shouke ,
  • WANG Jiahong ,
  • WANG Guibin ,
  • CAO Yindi ,
  • ZHAO Xiangshu ,
  • CAO Fuliang
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  • 1. Co-Innovation Center for the Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China;
    2. Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Vocational College of Agriculture and Forestry, Jurong 212400, China;
    3. Shandong Woqi Rural Revitalization Industry Development Co., Ltd., Weifang 262100, China;
    4. Science and Technology Office, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China

Received date: 2021-07-18

  Online published: 2022-02-15

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of unfermented Xanthoceras sorbifolia leaves (UXSL) or solid-state fermented Xanthoceras sorbifolia leaves (FXSL) on growth performance, haematological parameters, immune function, antioxidant function and meat quality of rabbits. One hundred and forty-four 40 day old healthy New Zealand white rabbits weighing (939±12) g were selected, and were randomly divided into 3 groups, with 4 replicates each and 6 rabbits in each replicate (half male and half female). They were designated as control group, UXSL group and FXSL group (birds in the UXSL and FXSL groups were fed diets containing 15% UXSL and FXSL in the basal diet to replace the same level of alfalfa, respectively). After the 42 day trial period all the rabbits were slaughtered. The results showed as follows:1) in the term of growth performance, compared with the control group and UXSL group, dietary supplementation of FXSL significantly increased the final body weight (FBW) and average daily weight gain (ADG) of rabbits (P<0.05), while the feed gain ratio (F/G) decreased significantly (P<0.05). 2) In the term of immune function, the white blood cell count, spleen index, serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA contents in the FXSL group were significantly higher than those in the control group and UXSL groups (P<0.05). 4) In the term of antioxidant ability, dietary supplementation with FXSL could significantly increase the serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (P<0.05), as well as the serum and liver glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities (P<0.05), but decrease the contents of serum and liver malondialdehyde (MDA) of rabbits (P<0.05). 4) In the term of meat quality, dietary supplementation with FXSL could significantly increase pH24 h of meat, and reduce 24 and 48 h drip loss and shear force (P<0.05). In conclusion, adding 15% XSL to the diet can replace the same amount of alfalfa powder, simultaneously, adding 15% FXSL can improve the growth performance, meat quality, and enhance the immune function and antioxidant function of rabbits.

Cite this article

ZHANG Xuhui , SUN Zhiyuan , LI Shouke , WANG Jiahong , WANG Guibin , CAO Yindi , ZHAO Xiangshu , CAO Fuliang . Effects of Dietary Replacement of Alfalfa Meal by Fermented Xanthoceras sorbifolia Leaves on Growth Performance, Immune Function, Meat Quality and Antioxidant Function of Rabbits[J]. Chinese Journal of Animal Nutrition, 2022 , 34(2) : 1175 -1185 . DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-267x.2022.02.049

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