- April 2019
- Czech Journal of Animal Science 64(No. 4):174-179
- DOI:
- 10.17221/162/2018-CJAS
Abstract
Artemisia
vulgaris (A. vulgaris) is an edible plant showing antioxidant and
antibacterial effects, but its effect as a feed additive or forage
source on the herbivore growth and health is unclear. This study aimed
to investigate the effect of A. vulgaris meal supplementation on the
growth performance, gut microbes, and immune function in rabbits. A
total of 120 growing Rex rabbits were randomly allocated into 4
treatments with 6 replicates per 5 rabbits each. There were four
experimental diets containing A. vulgaris meal at doses of 0, 3.0, 6.0
or 9.0%, respectively. The experiment lasted for 70 days. The results
showed that diets supplemented with A. vulgaris meal improved the
rabbits’ feed intake, body weight gain, and decreased feed conversion
ratio (P < 0.05). Linear and quadratic responses were found between
the growth parameters and the herbal meal doses (P ≤ 0.002). A. vulgaris
meal also improved gut microbe populations by increasing Lactobacilli
and Bifidobacteria, and decreasing E. coli, C. perfringens, Salmonella,
and Gram-negative bacteria (P < 0.05), and linear and quadratic
dose-dependent advantages were exhibited for these microbes (P ≤ 0.013).
Furthermore, blood levels of IgA, IgM, and lymphocytes of bursale,
thymus, CD4 and CD8 were increased by the treatments containing A.
vulgaris meal (P < 0.05), and linear dose-dependent effect was found
on these immune indexes (P < 0.001). Diet supplemented with A.
vulgaris meal is effective in improving growth, gut microbes, and
immunity of Rex rabbits.
