The effects of supplementing diets with Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz rhizomes on growth performance and immune function in piglets

Journal Title: Journal of Animal and Feed Sciences - Year 2012, Vol 21, Issue 2

Abstract

The rhizome of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz (baizhu in Chinese, AMK) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine that has long been used as a digestive and tonic. The experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of baizhu powder on the growth performance and immune function of piglets. Duroc × Landrace×Yorkshire piglets (n=72, half males and half females, 42 days of age, liveweight 14.82±0.17 kg) were randomly allocated to three treatments: control, control+AMK either ground (GMD=180 μm), or micronized (GMD=5.59 μm), for 30 days. The results showed that supplementation with micronized baizhu significantly increased average daily gain (ADG) (P<0.05) and decreased (P<0.05) the feed/gain and diarrhoea ratios compared with the control group. Pigs given 80 mesh baizhu had a lower (P<0.05) diarrhoea ratio than those fed the control diet. Supplementation with 80 mesh baizhu and micronized baizhu significantly increased (P<0.05) both concanavalin- (ConA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced splenocyte and peripheral lymphocyte proliferation, serum IgG, IL-1, and IL-2 concentrations (P<0.05) compared with the control group. In addition, supplementation with micronized baizhu significantly enhanced (P<0.05) PR-39 mRNA expression compared with the control group. The results indicate that baizhu could ameliorate metabolic status and regulate immune function to improve the growth performance of piglets, and that super-fine comminution may improve its medicinal efficiency.

Authors and Affiliations

C. L. Xu, Y. F. Zhao, X. Y. Shang, W. N. Niu

Keywords

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  • EP ID EP76206
  • DOI -
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How To Cite

C. L. Xu, Y. F. Zhao, X. Y. Shang, W. N. Niu (2012). The effects of supplementing diets with Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz rhizomes on growth performance and immune function in piglets. Journal of Animal and Feed Sciences, 21(2), 302-312. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-76206