Influences of immersion bathing in Bacillus velezensis DY-6 on growth performance,non-specific immune enzyme activities and gut microbiota of Apostichopus japonicus

In this study, the influences of immersion bathing in different concentrations of Bacillus velezensis DY-6 on the body weight gain rate and non-specific immune enzyme activities of the coelom fluid of sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) were determined in order to obtain the optimum bacterial concentration. The gut microbiota change in A. japonicus was then analyzed through high-throughput sequencing during the immersion bathing in B. velezensis DY-6 at the optimum concentration for 49 d. The results illustrate that the body weight growth rate of all bathing groups was higher than that of the control. The highest growth rate (25.3%) was achieved when the bacterial concentration was 1×10^3 CFU/mL. The activities of non-specific immune enzymes (ACP, AKP, SOD and LZM) of all bathing groups increased, and the activities of the enzymes of groups bathed with the bacterium at 1×10^3 and 1×10^4 CFU/mL reached the highest on day 21 and day 28. Taking the growth rate and economic cost into consideration, the optimum concentration of B. velezensis DY-6 was 1×10^3 CFU/mL. The influences of immersion bathing in B. velezensis DY-6 at 1×10^3 CFU/mL on the gut microbiota of A. japonicus were then evaluated through 16S rDNA sequencing analysis. Results showed that the gut microbiota changed with the addition of B. velezensis DY-6, and the richness and diversity of the gut microbiota peaked twice on day 14 and day 21, respectively. In association with the non-specific immune enzyme activities and if day 28 was selected as the dividing point, the community structure of the gut microbiota could be obviously divided into two types. The correlation analysis revealed that the non-specific immune enzyme activities were correlated significantly to some gut bacteria (in the phyla Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes) after immersion bathing in B. velezensis DY-6. Our findings will provide the theoretical foundation for probiotic application in sea cucumber farming.

Effect of Dietary Alanyl-glutamine Supplementation on Growth Performance, Development of Intestinal Tract, Antioxidant Status and Plasma Non-specific Immunity of Young Mirror Carp(Cyprinus carpio L.)

Exogenous alanyl-glutamine（Aln-Gln） was evaluated for its effects on growth performance, intestinal structure and function, antioxidant status and non-specific immunity of young carp（Cyprinus carpio L.）. Six diets supplemented with 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, or 15.0 g · kg-1 of Aln-Gln were fed to fish for 12 weeks. Supplementation with 7.5, 10.0, or 15.0 g · kg-1 of Aln-Gln significantly increased weight gain rate（WGR）, protein efficiency ratio（PER）, but feed conservation rate（FCR） and survival were not affected（P〉0.05）. The intestinal fold height and number, digestive enzyme, Na＋, K＋-ATPase activities was found to be significantly high（P〈0.05） with increasing dietary Aln-Gln supplementation up to 7.5 g · kg-1, but there were no significant differences for Aln-Gln supplementation from 7.5 to 15.0 g · kg-1. The glutathione peroxidase（GPX） activity, glutathione（GSH）, superoxide dismutase（SOD） activity increased and malondialdehyde（MDA） levels decreased significantly（P〈0.05） in the intestine, hepatopancreas, plasma and muscles. The plasma complement-3（C3） and complement-4（C4） levels were significantly（P〈0.05） improved at 5.0 g · kg-1 level and decreased when over 7.5 g · kg-1. The plasma lysozyme（LSZ） activity increased significantly（P〈0.05） at 7.5, 10.0, or 15.0 g · kg-1 level. In summary, the results showed that Aln-Gln improved growth performance, development and function of the intestine, the activity of the antioxidant defense system and the plasma non-specific immunity of the carps. The optimal Aln-Gln level was 8.24 g · kg-1 diet for WGR based on broken-line regression model analysis.

Effects of dietary Clostridium butyricum supplementation on growth performance,intestinal development,and immune response of weaned piglets challenged with lipopolysaccharide

Background: Weanling pigs, with immature immune system and physiological function, usually experience postweaning diarrhea. This study determined the effects of dietary Clostridium butyricum supplementation on growth performance, diarrhea, and immunity of weaned pigs challenged with lipopolysaccharide(LPS).Methods: In Experiment(Exp.) 1,144 weaned piglets were weaned at 21 d and randomly assigned to six groups,with six replicates per group and four pigs per replicate, receiving a control diet(CON) or diet supplemented with antibiotics(AB) or C. butyricum(CB)(0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4%, or 0.8%), respectively. All diets in Exp. 1 were a highly digestible basal diet, with 3,000 mg/kg zinc oxide supplied in the first 2 wk only. In Exp. 2, 180 piglets were weaned at 21 d and randomly assigned to five groups, with six replicates per group and six pigs per replicate, receiving CON, AB, or CB(0.2%, 0.4%, or 0.6%) diets. The digestibility of diets was lower than those in Exp. 1, and did not include zinc oxide. At 36 d of Exp. 2, 12 piglets were selected from each of the CON and 0.4% CB groups, six piglets were intraperitoneally injected with LPS(50 μg/kg body weight) and the other six piglets with normal saline;animals were killed at 4 h after injection to collect blood, intestine, and digesta samples for biochemical analysis.Results: In Exp. 1, CB and AB diets had no effect on growth performance of piglets. In Exp. 2, 0.4% CB decreased feed-gain ratio(P < 0.1), diarrhea score(P < 0.05), and increased duodenal, jejunal, and ileal villus height and jejunal villus height/crypt depth(P < 0.05). The 0.4% CB decreased the plasma tumor necrosis factor(TNF) α(P < 0.05) but increased ileal mucosa IL-10 and TLR2 mRNA expression(P < 0.05). Furthermore, 0.4% CB altered the microbial profile, with Bacillus and Ruminococcaceae UGG-003 at genus level and Lactobacillus casei and Parasutterella secunda at species level were higher than CON in colonic content(P < 0.05).Conclusions: Dietary C. butyricum supplementation had positive effects on growth of weaned piglets with less digestible diets. There was a tendency to reduce the feed-gain ratio, which could reduce feed costs in pig production. Moreover, C. butyricum decreased post-weaning diarrhea by improving the intestinal morphology,intestinal microflora profile, and immune function.

Effects of dietary supplementation of probiotic,Clostridium butyricum,on growth performance,immune response,intestinal barrier function,and digestive enzyme activity in broiler chickens challenged with Escherichia coli K88

Background： Colibacillosis caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coil （E. coil} results in economic losses in the poultry industry. Antibiotics are usually used to control colibacillosis, however, E. coli has varying degrees of resistance to different antibiotics. Therefore the use of probiotics is becoming accepted as an alternative to antibiotics. In this study, we evaluated the effects of Clostfidium butyricum （C. butyficum） on growth performance, immune response, intestinal barrier function, and digestive enzyme activity in broiler chickens challenged with Eschefichia coli （E. coil） K88. Methods： The chickens were randomly divided into four treatment groups for 28 days. Negative control treatment （NC） consisted of birds fed a basal diet without E. coil K88 challenge and positive control treatment （PC） consisted of birds fed a basal diet and challenged with E. coil K88. C. buO/ricum probiotic treatment （CB） consisted of birds fed a diet containing 2 x 107 cfu C. buO/ricum/kg of diet and challenged with E. coil K88. Colistin sulfate antibiotic treatment （CS） consisted of birds fed a diet containing 20 mg colistin sulfate/kg of diet and challenged with E. coil K88. Results： The body weight （BW） and average day gain （ADG） in the broilers of CB group were higher （P 〈 0.05） than the broilers in the PC group overall except the ADG in the 14-21 d post-challenge. The birds in CB treatment had higher （P 〈 0.05） concentration of tumor necrosis factor-a （TNF-a） at 3 and 7 d post-challenge, and higher （P 〈 0.05） concentration of interleukin-4 （IL-4） at 14 d post-challenge than those in the PC treatment group. The concentration of serum endotoxin in CB birds was lower （P 〈 0.05） at 21 d post-challenge, and the concentrations of serum diamine oxidase in CB birds were lower （P 〈 0.05） at 14 and 21 d post-challenge than in PC birds. Birds in CB treatment group had higher （P 〈 0.05） jejunum villi height than those in PC, NC, or CS treatment at 7, 14, and 21 d post-challenge. In comparison to PC birds, the CB birds had lower （P 〈 0.05） jejunum crypt depth during the whole experiment. The birds in CB or CS treatment group had higher （P 〈 0.05） activities of amylase and protease at 3, 7, and 14 d post-challenge, and higher （P 〈 0.05） activity of lipase at 3, 7 d post-challenge than PC birds.

Association of polymorphisms of Nramp1 gene with immune function and production performance of large white pig

The present research was designed to study the association of polymorphism of natural resistance-associated macrophage proteinl （Nrampl） with some immune function and the production performance in Large White pig. The PCR-RFLP technique was applied to analyze the correlation between the polymorphisms of Nrampl gene and immune function [value of Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes （PMN） obtained by Nitroblue Tetrazolium （NBT） Reduction and effect of Cytotoxin in Monocyte] and production performance in 165 Large White pigs. The results showed that there was one Nde I restriction locus in Large White pig, and both values of PMN by NBT Reduction and effect of Cytotoxin in Monocyte in genotype BB were higher than those in genotype AB （P〈0.05）. Simultaneously, the weight of 180-day-old pigs with genotype BB was higher than that with genotype AB （P〈0.05）. The results indicated that there was a significant correlation between different genotypes of Nrampl gene and Immune function and production performance, and it can be regarded as a candidate gene of disease resistance. All these results provide valuable reference to further studies of pig disease resistance.

Effects of dietary supplementation with Clostridium butyricum on the growth performance and humoral immune response in Miichthys miiuy

The effects of dietary supplementation with Clostridium butyricum on growth performance and humoral immune response in Miichthys miiuy were evaluated. One hundred and fifty Miichthys miiuy weighing approximately 200-260 g were divided into five groups and reared in 15 tanks with closed circuiting culture system. The animals were fed 5 diets： basal diet only （control） or supplemented of the basal diet with C. butyricum at doses of 10^3 （CB1）, 10^5 （CB2）, 10^7 （CB3） or 10^9 （CB4） CFU/g. Compared with the control, the serum phenoloxidase activity was significantly increased by the supplementation （P〈0.05）, acid phosphatases activity was increased significantly （P〈0.05） at the doses of 10^9 CFU/g. Serum lysozyme activity peaked at dose of 10^7 CFU/g and in the skin mucus at dose of 10^9 CFU/g. Immunoglobulin M level in the serum and skin mucus was increased except at dose of 10^3 CFU/g （P〈0.05）. The growth at the dose of 10^9 CFU/g was higher than that of the control （P〈0.05）. It is concluded that supplementation of C. butyricum can mediate the humoral immune responses and improve the growth performance in Miichthys miiuy.

Soya saponin improves egg-laying performance and immune function of laying hens

Background:Soya saponin(SS),an active compound in soybean meals,has been widely studied in the medical field.However,it was considered as an anti-nutritional factor in poultry diets.The objective of this experiment was to measure the effects of dietary SS using three dietary treatments on egg-laying performance and immune function of laying hens.Birds were fed a low soybean meal basal diet(CON),a low-SS diet(50 SS)containing 50mg/kg SS,or a high-SS diet(500 SS)containing 500 mg/kg SS for 10 weeks.At the end of the 5th and 10th week of the trial,samples were collected for analysis.Results:Results showed that with 50 mg/kg SS supplementation,the egg production rate,feed conversion ratio(FCR),and eggshell quality tended to be improved.Serum follicle stimulating hormone(FSH)and Interleukin-4(IL-4)levels were also elevated as well as the peripheral blood LPS stimulation index,the proportion of B lymphocytes,and antibody titer of bovine serum albumin(BSA).We also found that mRNA levels of follicle stimulating hormone receptor(FSHR)in ovarian,nuclear transcription factor kappa B(NF-κB),Transforming growth factor(TGF-β)and interferonγ(IFN-γ)in spleen were up-regulated at the end of the trial.Additionally,dietary 50 mg/kg SS improved the ileal flora via up-regulating the relative abundance of Lactobacillus,Romboutsia and Lactobacillus delbrueckii.Although the immune related indicators were improved with 500 mg/kg SS supplemented,it seemed to have a negative influence on the laying-performance.Specifically,serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT),alkaline phosphatase(ALP),and the ratio of IFN-γto IL-4 were increased in the 500 SS group at the end of the trial.The m RNA levels of gonadotropin releasing hormone 1(GnRH1)in Hypothalamus,the estrogen related receptor(ERR)in ovaries were downregulated as well as the egg production rate during the trial with 500 mg/kg SS supplemented.Conclusions:The egg production performance was improved by dietary supplemented with 50 mg/kg SS via increasing ovarian FSHR transcription level and serum estrogen level.A beneficial shift in intestinal microflora was recorded,and the immune function of laying hens was also improved with 50 mg/kg SS supplementation.Surprisingly,the long-term supplementation of 500 mg/kg SS exerted a negative impact on the laying performance and physiological functions of the liver of laying hens.

Effect of Bacillus baekryungensis YD13 Supplemented in Diets on Growth Performance and Immune Response of Sea Cucumber(Apostichopus japonicus)

The effect of a potential probiotic on the growth performance and immune response of sea cucumber(Apostichopus japonicus) was investigated. Bacillus baekryungensis YD13 isolated from sea cucumber culturing ponds was added to sea cucumber basal feed as a probiotic in different doses(0, the control; 1×104(YD134), 1×106(YD136) and 1×108(YD138) CFU g-1 of diet), and administered orally to A. japonicus(initial mean wet weight 5.44 g ± 0.17 g). The sea cucumbers were fed in 20 aquaria, 5 each treatment, for 60 d. At the end of growth trial, 20 sea cucumbers from each treatment were challenged with Vibrio splendidus. A. japonicus in YD134 and YD136 exhibited significantly better growth performance than control(P < 0.05). Five non-specific immune parameters including lysozyme, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, superoxide dismutase and catalase in coelomic fluid were measured to evaluate the immune response of A. japonicus to the probiotics. Results showed that all parameters were significantly improved when YD11 was supplemented in the dose of 1×106 CFU g-1(P < 0.05). The cumulative incidence and mortality after the Vibrio splendidus challenge decreased significantly in sea cucumbers of YD136. Accordingly, 1×106 CFU g-1 of YD13 in diet was recommended for the growth promotion and immune enhancement of A. japonicus.

Short-term effect of supplemental yeast extract without or with feed enzymes on growth performance, immune status and gut structure of weaned pigs challenged with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide

Background： This study investigated the response of piglets receiving a yeast extract without or with a multi-enzyme mixture compared with an antimicrobial growth promoter（AGP） on performance, immune status and gut structure after an E. coli lipopolysaccharide（LPS） challenge. Thirty-six pigs were allotted to six treatments including： a non-challenged control（NCC）; LPS-challenged control（CC）; CC ＋ AGP; CC ＋ yeast extract; CC ＋ enzymes; and CC ＋ enzymes ＋ yeast extract. On d 7, pigs were bled and thereafter injected with LPS or sterile saline. Blood samples were collected at 6, 48, and 96 h post-challenge. After 96 h post-challenge, pigs were euthanized to obtain duodenal, jejunal and ileal samples.Results： Overall（d 1 to 11）, compared with CC pigs, AGP attenuated the LPS-induced reduction in ADG（P = 0.004）,ADFI（P = 0.03） and gain/feed ratio（P = 0.01）. At 6 h post-challenge, AGP pigs had lower plasma urea N（PUN; P = 0.02）and serum TNF-α concentration（P = 0.07）, and higher platelet count（P = 0.04） and serum IL-10 concentration（P = 0.02） than CC pigs. At 48 h post-challenge, AGP pigs had lower PUN（P = 0.02） than CC pigs, whereas enzymes ＋ yeast extract interacted non-additively（P = 0.001） to reduce PUN. At 96 h post-challenge, AGP pigs had lower PUN（P = 0.02）and higher duodenal（P = 0.03）, jejunal（P = 0.01） and ileal（P = 0.07） villus height than CC pigs. In addition, enzymes ＋yeast extract interacted additively and non-additively to reduce ileal IFN-γ（P 0.10） were observed between AGP and enzymes ＋ yeast extract pigs on other measured parameters except for the downregulation of ileal IFN-γ（P ＆lt; 0.0001） and TNF-α（P = 0.003） in enzymes ＋ yeast extract pigs at 96 h post-challenge.Conclusions： The LPS challenged piglets receiving enzymes ＋ yeast extract showed beneficial responses in gut structure and immunity commensurate with those receiving antibiotics, though the latter had better overall growth performance.

Effects of Lactobacillus Microecologics on Production Performance, Immune Function and Intestinal Microflora of Egg Chicks

[Objective]The paper was to study the effects of lactobacillus microecologics on production performance,immune function and intestinal microflora of egg chicks.[Method]Totally 18001-day-old chicks of Hyline brown were randomly divided into three groups,four repeats each group and 150 chicks each repeat.The chicks in control group were supplied with basic diet,and those in experimental groups I and II were supplied with the basic diet added with 100 and 150 g/t microecologics,respectively.[Result]Compared with the control group,the daily gain of egg chicks in experimental group II after 7 weeks was increased by 3.67%(P<0.05),and the feed conversion ratio was significantly reduced by 0.05(P<0.05);the thymus indexes in experimental groups I and II were significantly improved by 4.95%and 5.94%(P<0.05),and the spleen indexes were significantly improved by 3.32% and 4.36% compared with the control group(P<0.05).The index of bursa of fabricius in experimental group II was extremely improved by 9.66%compared with the control group(P<0.01).Meantime,experimental group II extremely improved the number of living lactobacillus in caecum of egg chicks(P<0.01),and extremely reduced the number of Escherichia coli in caecum(P<0.01).[Conclusion]Lactobacillus microecologics are beneficial to the improvement of production performance,immune function and intestinal flora of egg chicks.The optimal addition amount in the feed of chicks is 150 g/t.

Non-specific immune response of bullfrog Rana catesbeiana to intraperitoneal injection of bacterium Aeromonas hydrophila

Non-specific immune response of bullfrog Rana catesbeiana to pathogenic Aeromonas hydrophila was studied to 60 individuals in two groups.Each bullfrog in bacterium-injected group was injected intraperitoneally(i.p.) with 0.2 ml bacterial suspension at a density of 5.2 × 106 CFU/ml,while each one in control group injected i.p.with 0.2 ml sterile saline solution(0.85%,w/v).Three bullfrogs in both groups were sampled at 0,1,3,7,11,15 and 20 days post-injection(dpi) for the evaluation of non-specific immune parameters.It was observed that intraperitoneal injection of A.hydrophila significantly increased the number of leucocytes and that of NBT-positive cells in peripheral blood.Significant increases in serum bactericidal activity and serum acid phosphatase activity were also observed in the bacterium-injected frogs when compared with those in the control group.However,a significant reduction was detected in vitro in phagocytosis activity of peripheral blood phagocytes.No significant difference in changes in the number of peripheral erythrocytes,serum superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity,and lysozyme activity was detected between the two groups.It is suggested that bullfrogs may produce a series of non-specific immune reactions in response to the A.hydrophila infection.

Effects of fish protein hydrolysate on growth performance and humoral immune response in large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea R.)

We investigated the effects of fish protein hydrolysate (FPH) on growth performance and humoral immune response of the large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea R.). One thousand and two hundred large yellow croakers [initial average weight: (162.75±23.85) g] were divided into four groups and reared in floating sea cages (3 m×3 m×3 m). The animals were fed with 4 diets: basal diet only (control) or diets supplemented with 5%, 10% and 15% (w/w) FPH. The results show that dietary FPH levels significantly influenced the growth and immunity of the large yellow croaker. Compared with the control group, total weight gain (TWG) in all treatment groups, relative weight gain (RWG) and specific growth rate (SGR) in fish fed with diets supplemented with 10% and 15% FPH were significantly increased (P<0.05). Similar results were observed in immune parameters [lysozyme activity, serum complements, immunoglobulin M (IgM)]. Lysozyme activity, complement C4 and IgM were also significantly increased (P<0.05) in fish fed with diets supplemented with 10% and 15% FPH, while complement C3 level was significantly increased (P<0.05) in all treatment groups. In general, with the supplementation of FPH, particularly at dose of 10%, the growth performance and immunity of the large yellow croaker can be improved effectively.

Effects of Lanerkang-A on Immune Efficacy of PRRS Vaccines and Growth Performance Indicators of Piglets

[ Objective] To study the effects of Lanerkang-A on the immunity and growth performance of piglets and lay a base for the development of green medicine on immunity stimulator, [ Method] A total of 50 healthy piglets were randomly divided into two groups, the control group （Group 1 ） and the test group （Group 2）, 25 piglets in each group. All the piglets were intramuscularly injected with 2 ml porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome （PRRS） propolis inactivated vaccine at 25 days old. The piglets in the Group 2 were fed with feed containing Lanerkang-A （ 10 ml/kg） at 42 days old. After 7-d feeding, the antibody titer against PRRSV and the cytoimmunity were detected using ELISA and E-rosette, respectively. [ Result] Lanerkang-A increased antibody titer against PRRSV by 4 titers and increased E-rosette forming rate by 7%. The average daily weight gain increased by 15.68%. [ Conclusion] Lanerkang-A can greatly enhance the immunological function of body, increase the daily gain of piglets, as well as improve their growth performance.

Effects of Diet with Picria fel-tarrae Lour Particle on the Growth Performance, Blood Biochemical Indexes, Immune and Antioxidant Function of Hongguang Yellow Chickens

[Objectives]To investigate the effect of diet with Picria fel-tarrae Lour particle(PFLp)on growth performance,blood biochemical indexes,immune and antioxidant function of Hongguang yellow chickens(HYC).[Methods]80 HYC in age of 1 d were divided into 4 groups randomly and each group was assigned to 5 replicates with 24 chicks in each replicate.Group A was control group fed only basal diet.Group B,C and D were treatment groups and fed diets with 0.125%,0.25%and 0.50%of PFLp respectively during the trial of 49 d.Serum samples were taken from 10 chicks in each group in the age of 21,35 and 49 d respectively and analyzed for biochemical,immune and antioxidant parameters in blood.[Results]ADG from group C in 21 d was increased significantly than that from group A,B and D(P<0.01),and ADG in 35 d from group C was also significantly greater than that from group A,B and D(P<0.05),but not much difference was found on ADG among the 4 groups in 49 d(P>0.05);ADFI from group C in 35 d was significantly higher than that from group A,B and D(P<0.05).ADFI from group C in 21 and 49 d were also higher than that from group A(P>0.05).FCR from group C in 21 d was much better than that from the other three groups(P<0.01).Death rate of group C was 50 percent lower than group A;There was no difference occurred in serum biochemical and immune parameters among the 4 groups during the trial(P>0.05).However,the T-AOC from group C and D in 21 d was enhanced significantly than that from group A and B(P<0.01),and the one from group C in 35 d was also increased greatly than that from group A,B and D(P<0.05).GSH from group C and D in 21 d was much higher than that from group A and B(P<0.05),and the ones from group C and D in 35 d were also significantly higher than those from group A and B(P<0.01).T-SOD in three stages trended up also in group C and D(P>0.05).[Conclusions]The diet with 0.25%PFLp in 21 and 35 d could dramatically improve the growth performance,significantly increase the antioxidant capacity and effectively reduce death rate.Diet with 0.25%PFLp is the most appropriate among the three different additions.

Effects of Herba Picriae Extract on Growth Performance and Immune Organ Index of Guangxi Partridge Chickens

[Objectives]The purpose of this experiment was to study the effects of dietary supplementation of Herba Picriae extract on the growth performance and immune organ index of Guangxi partridge chickens.[Methods]A total of 500 one-day-old Guangxi partridge chickens were selected and randomly divided into five groups,five replicates for each group and 20 chickens for each replicate.Groups A,B and C were treatment groups,in which 0.70%,0.35%and 0.175%of Herba Picriae extract was added to the basal diet,respectively.Group D was a positive drug control group,in which 0.01%colistin sulfate premix was supplemented.Group E was a blank control group,in which the chickens were fed the basal diet.The experimental period was 105 d.During the experiment,five chickens were randomly selected from each group on days 21,35 and 49,respectively for the measurement of immune organ index.[Results]When the chickens were fed basal diet supplemented with 0.175%of Herba Picriae extract,their daily body weight gain increased significantly from day 22 to day 35 and from day 71 to day 105 and tended to increase from day 1 to day 21,from day 36 to day 49,and from day 50 to day 70,with a range of 7.37%-8.72%.Dietary supplementation of 0.70%and 0.175%of Herba Picriae extract significantly promoted the growth and development of Fabricius bursae in the experimental chickens.[Conclusions]Dietary supplementation of 0.175%of Herba Picriae extract improved the growth performance and feed intake,as well as 21-d-old bursal index of the experimental chickens.

Effects of Macleaya cordata Extracts on Growth Performance and Immune Function of Immunosuppressed Laying Chicks

[Objective] The paper was to study the effects of Macleaya cordata extracts on growth performance and immune function of immunosuppressed laying chicks. [Method] A total of 120 1-day-old laying chicks with the body weight of (38.76±1.12) g were randomly divided into 3 groups with 40 replicates per treatment and 1 chick per replicate according to the principle of consistent body weight and half male and half female,namely control group, cyclophosphamide (CTX) group and M. cordata group. The trial lasted 21 d. The chicks in control group and CTX group were fed with basal diet, and those in M. cordata group were fed with the basal diet supplemented with 40 mg/kg M. cordata extract. On the 8^(th), 9^(th), 10^(th) and 17^(th) day of the trial, the chicks in CTX group and M. cordata group were intraperitoneally injected with 80 mg/kg BW CTX, and those in control group were intraperitoneally injected with equal dose of normal saline. [Result] (1) Compared with control group, the average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) of chicks in CTX group reduced significantly;the feed gain ratio (F/G) increased significantly;the white blood cell count (WBC) decreased significantly;the alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspertate aminotransferase (AST) levels in the blood increased significant -ly;the total protein (TP) and globulin (GLOB) content in the blood decreased significantly;the serum malondialdehyde (MDA) content increased significantly;and the contents of immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), interleukin-1 β (IL-1β) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the serum decreased significantly. (2)Compared with CTX group, the ADG and ADFI of chicks in M. cordata group increased significantly;the F/G decreased significantly;the WBC, red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), hematokrit (HCT) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) increased sig -nificantly;the contents of ALT, AST and MDA in the serum decreased significantly;the contents of TP, GLOB, IgG, Ig M, IL -1β, interleukin-6(IL-6) and IL-10 in the serum increased significantly;and the bursa of fabricius index increased significantly. (3) Compared with control group, the ADG and ADFI of chicks in M. cordata group increased significantly, and the contents of HGB and HCT in the blood increased significantly. [Conclusion] CTX injection will reduce the growth performance, antioxidant and immune function of laying chicks. The addition of M. cordata extract could restore the growth performance, immune function and antioxidant function impaired by CTX.

Effect of deffrent level of ZnMet on performance and immunity of broilers

试验采用完全随机试验设计，将1日龄的罗斯308肉鸡360只分成6组，每组3个重复，每个重复20只鸡，研究蛋氨酸锌（ZnMet）对肉鸡平均日增重（ADG）、平均日采食量（ADFI）和料重比（F／G）以及免疫器官指数和ND抗体效价的影响。目粮处理组为在不添加锌的玉米-豆粕型基础饲粮基础上分别添加20、40、60、80和100mg／kg水平的蛋氨酸锌（以锌计），结果表明，饲粮中添加蛋氨酸锌能提高肉鸡的平均日增重，改善料重比和免疫功能，60～80mg／kg为适宜添加量。

Effect of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch polysaccharide on growth performance and immunologic function in mice in Ural City,Xinjiang

Objective:To discuss the effect of Glycyrrhiza uralensis(G.uralensis) Fisch polysaccharide on growth performance and immunologic function in mice in Ural City,Xinjiang and to provide important data supporting the application of Glycyrrhiza polysaccharide.Methods:A total of100 Kunming mice aged 3 weeks old were randomly divided into 5 groups with 20 mice in each group(10 were females and 10 were males).About 0.5 mL normal saline was given to the mice of control group every day and 0.5 mL G.uralensis Fisch polysaccharide was given to the mice of other groups at the concentration of 1,20,50 and 100 mg/mL respectively.The growth performance(average body weight,average daily feed intake and feed efficiency),immune organ indexes(spleen index and thymus index) and immunologic function(serum IL-2,CD4^+/CD8^+ and the activity of NK cells) of mice in each group were detected continuously.Results:The average body weight,feed efficiency,serum IL-2,CD4^+/CD8^+ and the activity of NK cells of mice were increased with the increase of administrated time after administrating G.uralensis Fisch polysaccharide and were reached up the largest level on Day 28.At the same time,each index was proportional to the given dose and was significantly higher than those of control group and reached up the largest level at the administrated dose of 100 mg/mL.After administrating G.uralensis Fisch polysaccharide,the spleen index and thymus index of mice were increased with the increase of administrated dose and the spleen index and thymus index of mice administrated with the dose of 100 mg/mL were maximum which was more than 1.51 times and 1.43 times of that in control group respectively and the comparative differences showed statistical significance(P<0.05).The average daily feed intake of mice in each group was increased with the passage of lime and at the same time,the comparison of average daily feed intake of mice in each group was not significantly different(P>0.05).Conclusions:G.uralensis Fisch polysaccharide can significantly improve the growth performance and immunologic function of mice and laid a research basis for the clinical application of G.uralensis Fisch polysaccharide.

Effects of different forms of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae on growth performance,intestinal development,and systemic immunity in early-weaned piglets

The present study was conducted to determine effects of different forms of yeast （Saccharomyces cerevisiae, strain Y200007） on the growth performance, intestinal development, and systemic immunity in early-weaned piglets. A total of 96 piglets （14-d old, initial average body weight of 4.5 kg） were assigned to 4 dietary treatments： （1） basa diet without yeast （Control）; （2） basal diet supplemented with 3.00 g/kg live yeast （LY）; （3） basal diet supplemented with 2.66 g/kg heat-killed whole yeast （HKY）; and （4） basal diet supplemented with 3.00 g/kg superfine yeast powders （SFY）. Diets and water were provided ad libitum to the piglets during 3-week experiment. Growth performance of piglets was measured weekly. Samples of blood and small intestine were collected at days 7 and 21 of experiment. Dietary supplementation with LY and SFY improved G：F of piglets at days ]-21 of the experiment （P 〈 0.05） compared to Control group. Serum concentrations of growth hormone （GH）, triiodothyronine （T3）, tetraiodothyronine （T4）, and insulin growth factor 1 （iGF-1） in piglets at day 21 of the experiment were higher when fed diets supplemented with LY and SFY than those in Control group （P 〈 0.05）. Compared to Control group, contents of serum urea nitrogen of piglets were reduced by the 3 yeast-supplemented diets （P 〈 0.05）. Diets supplemented with LY increased villus height and villus-to-crypt ratio in duodenum and jejunum of piglets （P 〈 0.05） compared to other two groups at day 7 of the experiment. Feeding diets supplemented with LY and SFY increased （P 〈 0.05） serum concentrations of IgA, IL-2, and IL-6 levels in piglets compared to Control. The CD4＋/CD8＋ ratio and proliferation of T-lymphocytes in piglets fed diets supplemented with LY were increased compared to that of Control group at day 7 of the experiment （P 〈 0.05）. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with both LY and SFY enhanced feed conversion, small intestinal development, and systemic immunity in early-weaned piglets, with better improvement in feed conversion by dietary supplementation with LY, while dietary supplementation with SFY was more effective in increasing systemic immune functions in early-weaned piglets.

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.