Gut microbiome and serum metabolome analyses identify Bacteroides fragilis as regulators of serotonin content and PRL secretion in broody geese

Broody behavior is regulated by hypothalamic prolactin secretion,which seriously affects egg production in poulty production.Numerous studies have provided evidence that animal behavior is governed by dynamic bidirectional communication between specific gut bacteria and their host via the brain-gut-microbiome axis.However,little research focused on how the gut microbiota influence broody behavior in poultry.In this study,Zhedong white geese in laying and brooding phases were selected.Ten differentially abundant bacteria in cecum were detected between brooding and laying geese through metagenomic analyses and 16S rRNA sequencing(P<0.05),and Bacteroides fragilis was specifically identified as a key driver species in the brooding geese.Moverover,the serum metabolites were quantified,and the 313 differentially abundant metabolites were found between the two groups of different physiological geese.They were primarily enriched in the tryptophan metabolism pathways.Pearson correlation analyses revealed there was a significant positive correlation between B.fragilis abundance and the context of 11 tryptophan metabolism-related metabolites(such as serotonin,etc.)in broody geese,which hinted that those tryptophan metabolites might be produced or driven by B.fragilis.Finally,the serum hormone levels were also measured.We found there was a positive correlation between B.fragilis abundance and content of serotonin.Besides,prolactin secreted by the pituitary gland was greater in brooding geese than that in laying geese,which was also highly correlated with B.fragilis abundance.This result implied that B.fragilis could promote the secretion of prolactin by the pituitary gland.Together,the current study findings provided the information on gut microbiota influencing broody behavior,B.fragilis produced or driven more serum serotonin,and stimulated the pituitary gland to secret more prolactin,which potentially offered a new enlightenment for the intervention of broody behavior in poultry.

基于GEESE算法的GTD模型参数估计

基于信号子空间特征向量的广义特征值(GEESE)算法具有比MUSIC和ESPRIT估计速度快的特点。将GEESE算法应用到能够精确描述高频电磁散射的几何绕射(GTD)模型中,利用特征子空间分解方法中信号子空间与噪声子空间的正交特性分离出信号子空间,使GEESE算法既能够精确估计目标散射中心的位置,又能估计散射中心的类型。仿真表明,这种算法有较好的效果,无需搜索,且估计的速度快,精度高。

Improving Geese Production Performance in “Goose-Fish” Production System by Competitive Reduction of Pathogenic Bacteria in Pond Water

This study investigated whether competitive reduction of pathogenic bacteria growth in pond water alleviates lipopolysaccharide （LPS） contamination and improves geese production performances in the ＂goose-fish＂ production system, thereby providing the potential for an improved technique for ecological water fowl production. In the first experiment, 240 Magang goslings of 15-d age were randomly and equally allocated into 16 ＂yard and pond＂ pens using a 2-2 factorial design with 4 replications per treatment. In the 55-d experimental period, the goslings received 2 main treatments： supplementation of Bacillus subtilis spores in the feed and addition of photosynthetic bacteria （PSB） to the pond water. Both B. subtilis spores and PSB treatments significantly suppressed water counts of Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli, Salmonella and Shigella, and LPS concentrations in pond water and in gosling blood （P〈0.05）. As the result, the two treatments significantly improved gosling weight gain and carcass quality, marked by enhanced breast and leg muscle percentages and reduced subcutaneous fat proportions （P〈0.05）. Moreover, the improved effects of B. subtilis spores and PSB treatments were additive. In the second experiment, 1 160 adult geese were induced to start egg laying from May throughout the summer months. The geese were separated equally into control and experimental flocks to fit into 2 integration production units, with a density of 1 bird m-2 meter on pond water. Experimental flock geese were treated with B. subtilis spores in feed and PSB in the pond water for the duration of the study. Such treatment combination significantly depressed the growth of E. coli, Salmonella and Shigella in the pond water and reduced LPS concentrations both in pond water and in geese blood （P〈0.01）. As a result, egg fertility, fertile and set egg hatchabilities were all improved in the treated flock. Results from both growing goslings and breeding geese demonstrated that water bacteria pollution can be competitively reduced by supplementation with B. subtilis spores via the feed and addition of PSB in pond water, each of which reduces LPS contamination to geese and improves production performances. Micro- ecological agents such as B. subtilis spores and PSB improve water quality and provide a simple ecological technique for the ＂water fowl-fish＂ integrative production system.

Raising on Water Stocking Density Reduces Geese Reproductive Performances via Water Bacteria and Lipopolysaccharide Contaminations in “Geese-Fish” Production System

This study was carried out to unravel the mechanism of reductions in production performances in high stocking density geese flocks during summer months in ＂geese-fish＂ production system. Experiment 1 observed the water bacterial growth, lipopolysaccharde concentrations in water and geese blood, and geese reproductive performances from summer to winter, in two flocks with varying on water stocking densities. Results showed that counts of total bacteria, Escherichia coli and Salmonella in water, as well as water and geese plasma LPS concentrations, exhibited a tendency decreasing from the highest levels in summer, to intermediate levels in autumn, and to the lowest values in winter. Such seasonal decreases in bacteria and LPS concentrations were associated with similar seasonal decreases in embryo mortality during incubation. In addition, embryos dead or showing development retardation by day 25 of incubation contained copious LPS in allantoic fluid, in contrast to the negligible amount in normal developing embryos. Raising on water stocking density elevated bacteria counts, LPS concentrations in water and geese plasma, and decreased egg fertility but increased embryo mortality during incubation. In experiment 2, exogenous LPS treatment to the geese depressed egg laying, reduced egg hatchability, caused sickness behavior in the goslings hatched. In experiment 3, exogenous LPS directly administered to day 8 and 18 embryos during incubation dose dependently increased mortality and decreased hatchability, and caused sickness behavior in the goslings hatched. It is concluded that the raising on water geese stocking density stimulates pathogenic bacteria growth in water, which via LPS contamination impaires embryo development in incubation and therefore reduces geese reproductive performance and gosling quality during the hot summer months.

Protective efficacy of an H5/H7 trivalent inactivated vaccine(H5-Re13,H5-Re14, and H7-Re4 strains) in chickens, ducks, and geese against newly detected H5N1, H5N6, H5N8, and H7N9 viruses

Some H5 viruses isolated in poultry or wild birds between 2020 and 2021 were found to be antigenically different from the vaccine strains(H5-Re11 and H5-Re12) used in China. In this study, we generated three new recombinant vaccine seed viruses by using reverse genetics and used them for vaccine production. The vaccine strain H5-Re13 contains the hemagglutinin(HA) and neuraminidase(NA) genes of an H5 N6 virus that bears the clade 2.3.4.4 h HA gene, H5-Re14 contains the HA and NA genes of an H5 N8 virus that bears the clade 2.3.4.4 b HA gene, and H7-Re4 contains the HA and NA genes of H7 N9 virus detected in 2021. We evaluated the protective efficacy of the novel H5/H7 trivalent inactivated vaccine in chickens, ducks, and geese. The inactivated vaccine was immunogenic and induced substantial antibody responses in the birds tested. Three weeks after vaccination, chickens were challenged with five different viruses detected in 2020 and 2021: three viruses(an H5 N1 virus, an H5 N6 virus, and an H5 N8 virus) bearing the clade 2.3.4.4 b HA gene, an H5 N6 virus bearing the clade 2.3.4.4 h HA gene, and an H7 N9 virus. All of the control birds shed high titers of virus and died within 4 days post-challenge, whereas the vaccinated chickens were completely protected from these viruses. Similar protective efficacy against H5 viruses bearing the clade 2.3.4.4 h or 2.3.4.4 b HA gene was observed in ducks and geese. Our study indicates that the newly updated H5/H7 vaccine can provide solid protection against the H5 and H7 N9 viruses that are currently circulating in nature.

Effects of Immunization Against Inhibin on Egg-Laying Performance in Magang and Landaise Geese

This study aimed to improve egg-laying performance in incubating Magang geese of Guangdong origin and Landaise geese of French origin. In experiment 1, 50 adults, egg-laying Magang geese were inoculated intramuscularly （i.m.） on days 0, 22, and 45 with 1 mL of immunogen containing 1 mg of recombinant chicken inhibin fusion protein. Immunization significantly increased blood antibody titers against inhibin fusion protein, but did not affect the egg-laying performance within 10 days after the first inoculation. From day 15, the egg-laying rate in inhibin-immunized group increased and was significantly higher than the values of control geese from day 40 to 55. However, the reverse was true from day 55 to 75 when more immunized geese developed incubation. In the entire 120 days of the experiment, the immunized geese laid 17.3 eggs in contrast to 16.4 eggs laid by the control geese. From day 30 till the end of the experiment, weight of eggs in the control geese was significantly greater than that in inhibin-immunized birds. In experiment 2, 40 Landaise geese were immunized against inhibin, as described in experiment 1. These geese laid 9.0 eggs on average in contrast to 7.3 eggs laid by nonimmunized control geese over 90 days of egg laying. The above results demonstrated that immunization against recombinant chicken inhibin fusion protein improved egg-laying performance in geese, and the increment was higher in nonincubating geese.

Effects of Dietary Crude Fiber Levels on Growth Performance and Serum Biochemical Index of Dingan Geese Aged from 35 to 70 Days

[Objective] The study was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary crude fiber on growth performance and serum biochemical in-dex of Dingan geese aged from 35 to 70 days.[Method] A total of 120 Dingan geese on day 28 with the same genetic background and similar initial weight(1 384.83.73±0.76 g) were randomly assigned into 3 groups, with 4 replicates per group and 10 geese per replicate. Geese were fed the diets containing 4.29%, 5.29% and 6.29 % crude fiber, respectively. The experiment lasted 35 d.[Result] Final weight and daily gain of 5.29 %CF group were significantly higher than those of 6.29 % CF group(P<0.05);Feed intake was markedly higher than those of 4.29% and 6.29 % CF groups(P<0.05);Feed gain ratio was significantly lower than that of 6.29 % CF group(P<0.05). Compared with 4.29% and 6.29 % CF groups, serum albumin concentrations of 5.29 % CF group increased significantly(P<0.05), while serum total protein and globin contents were higher(P>0.05), but serum uric acid level was lower(P>0.05).[Conclusion] 5.29 % crude fiber could lead to higher growth performance of Dingan geese.

Effects of soybean meal replacement with fermented alfalfa meal on the growth performance,serum antioxidant functions,digestive enzyme activities,and cecal microflora of geese

Fermented forages are important feedstuffs. Bacillus subtilis inoculants are often used to improve the value of forage legume fermentation. The present work was conducted to study the effects of replacing soybean meal with solid-state fermented alfalfa meal（FAM） with B. subtilis ACCC 01746 on growth performance, serum antioxidant and digestive enzyme activities, and cecal microflora in goose. 300 healthy geese with similar body weights were randomly assigned to six treatment groups with five replicates of 10 geese（five males and five females） each. Geese were fed ad libitum for 35 days. Results showed that the geese fed with 4 and 8% FAM exhibited no significant effects on their final body weights（FBW） and average day gain（ADG）（P〉0.05）, whereas 12% or higher FAM caused poor growth of the geese compared with control diet（linear（L）： P〈0.05）. The average daily feed intake（ADFI）（quadratic（Q）： P〈0.05） and feed conversion ratio（FCR）（L： P〈0.05） with 8% or higher supplementation level were higher than those of the control group. The activities of antioxidant enzyme in serum increased, and the level of malondialdehyde（MDA） significantly decreased with increasing dietary FAM level（L： P〈0.05）. However, no significant differences were observed at 8% or lower supplementation level for glutathione peroxidase（GSH-Px） and superoxide dismutase（SOD）（P〉0.05） and at 4% for catalase（CAT） supplementation level compared with the control group. All diets containing FAM increased digestive enzyme activities in geese. However, geese fed diets with 12% FAM supplementation showed the highest trypsin activities in pancreas（Q： P〈0.05）. Supplementation with 12% or higher FAM significantly increased amylase activities in pancreas（L： P〈0.05） and duodenum（L： P〈0.05） compared with the control group. Significant differences were not observed in total anaerobic bacteria between geese fed with FAM and control diets on day 35（P〉0.05）. The numbers of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in the cecum of geese fed with FAM significantly increased（L： P〈0.05）, but no significant effects were found with 4 and 8% FAM supplementation levels compared with the control（P〉0.05）. By contrast, the coliform counts of cecum decreased with increasing inclusion of FAM, but these counts were significantly reduced in geese fed diets with 12% or higher FAM supplementation level（L： P〈0.05）. Collectively, our results indicated that supplementation of the basal geese diet with 8% FAM had no apparent adverse effects on growth performance, serum antioxidant enzyme activities, and digestive parameters and beneficial microbiota.

Effects of Crude Fiber Levels on Production Performance, Organ Index and Serum Biochemical Parameters of Dingan Geese Aged from 1 to 28 Days

[Objective]The paper was to investigate the effects of dietary crude fiber level on production performance,organ index and serum biochemical parameters of Dingan geese aged from 1 to 28 days.[Method]A total of 144 1-day-old Dingan geese with the same genetic background and similar initial weight(88.75±0.21g)were randomly assigned into 3 groups with 4 replicates per group and 12 geese per replicate,and fed with the diets containing 2.56%,3.52% and 4.48% crude fiber,respectively.The trial lasted 28 d.[Result]1)The final weight and daily gain of 3.52% CF group were significantly higher than those of 2.56% CF group(P<0.05);the feed/gain ratio was markedly lower than that of 2.56% CF group(P<0.05).2)The slaughter rate,semi-eviscerated rate and leg muscle rate of 3.52% CF group were higher than those of 2.56% and 4.48% CF groups(P>0.05).3)As the dietary crude fiber levels rose,the abdominal fat rate showed a downward trend(P>0.05).4)The liver index of 3.52% CF group was significantly higher than that of 2.56% CF group(P<0.05).4)Compared with 2.5%and 4.48% CF groups,the serum albumin concentrations of 3.52% CF group markedly increased(P<0.05),the serum total protein and globin contents were higher(P>0.05),but the serum uric acid level was lower(P>0.05).[Conclusion]When the crude fiber level was 3.52%,the production performances of Dingan geese aged from 1 to 28 days were better,and the liver index and serum albumin level could be obviously improved.

Tracking Microorganisms in Production and Sale Operations of Spiced Geese

Cooling, transportation and sale processes of spiced geese were studied, eight spiced geese meat samples with different sampling time, Airborne microorganism samples of three different workplaces and five different environmental contact substance samples were test, measures of special mediums, biochemical identification and DNA sequencing were carried out, then Escherichia coli, Yeast, Mildew, Lactic acid bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Janthinobacterium were detected. For spiced geese meat samples, microorganisms were significant (p ) increased with the prolong of sampling time. Lactic acid bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Janthinobacterium were detected in each processing operation and the total aerobic counts of each sample was increased or significant (p ) increased with the prolong of sampling time;Escherichia coli, Yeast and Mildew were detected on samples entered into the retail outlet mainly and the total aerobic counts of each sample was increased or significant (p ) increased also. In the household workshop, Mildew and Janthinobacterium were the superior microorganisms. In the transport vehicle, Staphylococcus aureus and Janthinobacterium were the superior microorganisms;Staphylococcus aureus was the superior microorganism in the retail outlet. For environmental contact substances, Cooling platform, pallet, chopping block were the most serious contaminated environmental contact substances and the total bacteria counts were significant (p ) more than stainless steel barrel and chopper;Janthinobacterium was the superior microorganism on pallet, stainless steel barrel and chopper;Lactic acid bacteria was the superior microorganism on chopping block and stainless steel barrel;Staphylococcus aureus was the superior microorganism on cooling platform. Findings indicate that Escherichia coli, Yeast, Mildew, Lactic acid bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, Janthinobacterium were the main microorganisms;Household workshop and the retail outlet were the main place microorganisms contaminated;Pallet, stainless steel barrel and chopper were the main environmental contact substances.

Performance of Fatty Liver Development in Response to Brown Rice and Corn-Based Diets in Overfed Landes Geese(Anser anser)

The effect of brown rice and corn-based diets on fatty liver weight, carcass traits, lipids accumulation and liver composition of Landes geese (Anser anser) after feeding the same amount of each diet was investigated. After 2 weeks overfeeding, besides body weight and body weight gain increased significantly, the fatty liver weights were increased dramatically from 94.67 to 554.67 and 754.00 g in corn treatment and rice treatment, respectively, and the accumulation lipids in adipose tissues reached up to or close to 2 folds of initial weight in both treatments. Liver weight was greater in brown rice group than in corn group (P<0.05). Compared to before overfeeding, triacylglycerols (TG) in geese fatty liver increased dramatically and predominated (from 9.08% to close to or more than 90% of hepatic lipids), whereas phospholipids (PL) and cholesteryl esters (CE) decreased sharply in both treatments (P<0.05). However, the percentages of lipids, TG and PL in fatty liver were higher in brown rice treatment than in corn treatment, and that of CE was lower (P<0.05). It indicates that overfeeding chiefly results in lipids accumulation in goose fatty liver and adipose tissues. Brown rice-based diet induces greater fatty liver, and brown rice is one of high quality overfeeding ingredients instead of corn.

Seasonal and regional differences in migration patterns and conservation status of Swan Geese(Anser cygnoides)in the East Asian Flyway

Background:The Swan Goose(Anser cygnoides)breeds across Mongolia and adjacent China and Russia and winters exclusively in China.It is globally threatened,showing long-term major range contractions and declining abundance,linked to habitat loss and degradation.We remain ignorant about the biogeographical subpopulation structure of the species and potential differences in their migration timing,stopovers and schedules,information that could be vital to effective conservation of different elements of the species population,which we address here with results from a telemetry study.Methods:In 2017-2018,we attached GPS/GSM telemetry devices to 238 Swan Geese on moulting sites in three discrete parts of their summering area(Dauria International Protected Area,Central Mongolia and Western Mongolia),generating 104 complete spring and autumn migration episodes to compare migration speed and nature between birds of different summer provenances.Results:Birds from all three breeding areas used almost completely separate migration routes to winter sympatrically in the Yangtze River floodplain.Although many features of the spring and autumn migrations of the three groups were similar,despite the significantly longer migration routes taken by Western Mongolian tagged birds,birds from Dauria Region arrived significantly later in winter due to prolonged staging in coastal areas and took longer to reach their breeding areas in spring.Among birds of all breeding provenances,spring migration was approximately twice as fast as autumn migration.Areas used by staging Swan Geese(mainly wetlands)in autumn and spring almost never fell within national level protected areas,suggesting major site safeguard is necessary to protect these critical areas.Conclusions:This study showed the discreteness of migration routes taken by birds of different summer provenances and differences in their migratory patterns,highlighting key staging areas(Yalu River Estuary in China/North Korea for Dauria Region breeding birds,Daihai Lake for Central Mongolian and Ordos Basin for Western Mongolian birds).Based on this new knowledge of the biogeographical subpopulation structure of the Swan Goose,we need to combine data on subpopulation size,their distribution throughout the annual life cycle and conservation status,to develop more effective conservation strategies and measures to reverse population decline throughout the range.

Effect of Different Proportions of Leymus chinensis in Diet on Plasma Enzymes Activities of Wulong Geese

Eight-month-old Wulong geese were fed with the diet with different proportions of Leymus chiesensis at the same energy and protein level. The activities of plasma Alkaline Phosphatase （AKP）, Acid Phosphatase （ACP）, Choline Esterace （CHE）, Lactic Dehydrogenase （LDH）, Glutamicoxalacetic Transaminase （GOT） and Glutamatepyruvate Transaminase （GPT） were determined and then their correlations with fiber digestibility and the apparent digestibility of Ca, R Met and Cys were analyzed. The results showed that the activity of AKP took on a significant downtrend as the increasing of Leymus chinensis proportion （P〈0.05）. There was a negative correlation between the AKP activity and the digestibility of crude fiber （CF）, neutral detergent fiber （NDF） and acid detergent fiber （ADF） （P〈0.05）. However, there was a significant positive correlation between the AKP activity and the apparent digestibility of Ca, Met and Cys （P〈0.05）. Moreover, the activities of the other five enzymes had no significant correlation with the digestibility of CF, NDF, ADF, and the apparent digestibility of Ca, Met and Cys （P〉0.05）.

Effects of Dietary Metabolizable Energy and Crude Protein Levels on Reproductive Performance of Magang Geese

[ Objective] To investigate the effects of different levels of metabolizable energy and crude protein on egg laying performance and hatch- ing efficiency in Magang geese. [Method] The healthy Magang geese at 2 years old were randomly assigned into four groups, group Ⅰ, group Ⅱ, group Ⅲ and control group. They were fed with diets at different levels of metabolizable energy and crude protein, and then their eggs were collect- ed and hatched. During the test, their health was observed, and the egg weight, egg yield and hatching rate were recorded. [ Result] The average egg laying rates and average egg weight were significantly higher in the group Ⅰ, group Ⅱ and group Ⅲ than in the control group. The hatchable egg rates and egg fertilization rates of the group Ⅰ, group Ⅱ and group Ⅲ were also increased, and significance was found between the group Ⅲ and the other group （P 〈 0.05）. The feed costs of the three test groups were lower than that of the control group, and the feed cost was higher in the group Ⅲ than that in the group Ⅰ and Ⅱ. [ Conclusion] The levels of metabolizable energy and crude protein in diet have significant effects on laying performance and hatching efficiency in Magang geese.

Effect of Pennisetum purpureum Schum cv. Guiminyin on Growth Performance of Geese

To explore the feeding value of Pennisetum purpureum Schum cv. Guiminyin in production of geese, effects of feeding the green fodder on growth performance of geese were studied, while P. purpureum K. Scbumacb x P. typhoideum Rich cv. Reyan No. 4 was used as control. The results showed that P. purpureum Schum cv. Guiminyin had high biomass and good nutritional quality, and geese intake of the forage was greater than that of the control variety. The average daily gain was （51.45 ±3.49）g/goose, which was increased by 13.36% compared with control; feed gain ratio was （4.93 ±0.35）%, and feed consumption was reduced by 19.47% compared with control （P 〈0.05）. Thus, it could be concluded that feeding geese with P. purpureum Schum ev. Guiminyin could obtain good economic benefit.

Avian Influenza H5N1 Surveillance in Geese of Qinghai Province, China (2012)

The aim of study was to detect H5N1 virus in wild geese in Qinghai Province in 2012. The work was provided according to WHO and OIE guidelines. In 2012, we collected 532 samples from wild geese of two species: Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus) and Graylag Goose (Anser anser). We analyzed samples by chicken embryo inoculation and PCR. No avian influenza viruses were isolated. History of HPAI H5N1 shows obvious importance of Central Asian region in its spreading. The outbreaks of the H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI H5N1) were reported in wild birds at the Qinghai Lake since 2005. This area seems to be key point for H5N1 avian influenza surveillance in wild birds. We did not find viruses although H5N1 cases in poultry were reported from 5 provinces of China in 2012. Annual surveillance is required for early AIV detection in this region.

Effects of graded fiber level and caecectomy on metabolizable energy value and amino acid digestibility in geese

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of graded levels of fiber from rice hull and the caecectomy on metabolizable energy（ME） and amino acid digestibility（AAD） in 42 Wuzong geese（21 intact and 21 caecectomized）. The experiment was a 3×2 factorial randomized design with 3 fiber levels and 2 treatments of geese（caecectomized and intact）. Each of the 3 diets was tube-fed（60 g） to 7 caecectomized and 7 intact adult Wuzong geese that had been fasted for 24 h. Excreta were collected for the next 48 h. The same geese were also fasted for estimation of endogenous losses of amino acids（AA） and energy after short period recovery. AA content and metabolizable energy value were determined in the excreta. In general, significant effects were found for fiber levels on apparent digestibility of Thr, Leu, Pro, Glu,Val, Ala and total AA（P〈0.05）. Apparent metabolizable energy（AME） and true metabolizable energy（TME） were both significantly influenced by increased fiber levels（P〈0.01）. Compared with caecectomized geese, markedly increases of AME and TME were found in intact geese（P〈0.01 for AME and P 〈0.05 for TME）, but no difference in the AAD were found between intact and caecectomized geese（P〉0.05）, except for Lys and Try（P〈0.05）. These observations suggested that dietary fiber level played an important role in digestibility of AAD and ME. Intact geese should be chosen for the nutrient evaluation of feedstuffs in practice, resulting from the significant difference between caecectomized and intact geese.

Tenzin Dances with Geese

Intoxicated by the charming snow-capped mountain peaks surrounding the lake I relaxed,I took out my camera and started to shoot.Suddenly,a beautiful song was carried to me

Effects of dietary alfalfa flavonoids extraction on growth performance,organ development and blood biochemical indexes of Yangzhou geese aged from 28 to 70 days

This experiment was conducted to study the effects of dietary alfalfa flavonoids extraction supplemental level on growth performance, organ development and blood biochemical indexes of Yangzhou geese at the age of 28 to 70 days. Two hundred and forty 21-day-old healthy male geese with similar body weight were randomly distributed into 4 groups with 6 replicates per group and 10 geese per replicate. Geese in the control group were fed a basal diet and the others in the experimental groups(groups 1,2, and 3) were fed experimental diets supplemented with 150, 300 and 450 mg/kg alfalfa flavonoids extraction(the concentration of it was 81%), respectively. The experiment had 7 days for pre-test and 42 days for formal test.The results showed that the final body weight and average daily intake of group 2 were significantly higher than those of other groups(P < 0.05). The average daily gain of group 2 was significantly higher than that in the control group and group 1(P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in feed-to-gain ratio between each group(P > 0.05). Pre-slaughter live weight, carcass weight, slaughter rate, semieviscerated weight, semi-eviscerated rate, eviscerated weight, eviscerated rate, leg muscle weight and leg muscle rate had no significant difference between each group(P > 0.05). The breast muscle weight and ratio of each test group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P < 0.05) and the group2 was the best. The abdominal fat weight and ratio in the group 1 were significantly higher than those in the control group and group 3(P < 0.05) and the tibia weight in the group 2 was significantly higher than that in the control group and group 1(P < 0.05); There were no significant differences in heart weight,liver weight and the gland stomach weight among all groups(P > 0.05). Spleen weight in test groups was significantly higher than that in the control group(P < 0.05). The bursa weight and muscular stomach weight in the group 2 were significantly higher than those in the control group and group 1(P < 0.05). In serum, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein and urea nitrogen in the group 2 were significantly lower comparing with those in the control group(P < 0.05). High-density lipoprotein in the group 2 was significantly higher than that in other groups(P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in total serum protein, albumin, globulin and albumin/globulin among all groups(P > 0.05). Alanine aminotransferase and aspartate transaminase(AST) in groups 2 and 3 were higher than those in the group1 and control group but not obvious(P > 0.05) and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) in groups 1 and 2 was higher than that in the control group and group 3(P > 0.05). It is concluded that alfalfa flavonoids extraction added in dietary feed improve the growth performance, organ development and blood biochemical indexes of Yangzhou geese. It is concluded that 300 mg/kg supplemental level of the dietary alfalfa flavonoids extraction is optimal in this experiment.