Effects Of Macleaya Cordata Extract On Reproductive Performance,Egg Quality And Intestinal Flora Of Xuefeng Black-Bone Chicken

In this study,the effects of different concentrations of Macleaya cordata extract(MCE)on reproductive performance,egg quality,serum index,intestinal morphology and intestinal microorganisms of Xuefeng black-bone chickens were compared,and the suitable addition amount and effect of MCE in poultry feed were discussed,so as to provide reference for the development of new plant extracts as feed additives.A total of 576 Xuefeng black-bone hens(47-week-old,white-feathered hens)were randomly divided into four groups: control group A(0mg/kg MCE),group B(100mg/kg MCE),group C(150mg/kg MCE)and group D(200mg/kg MCE).The pre-feeding period was 7 days and the trial period was 84 days.The average daily laying rate and average egg weight were recorded in repetition.The qualified breeding eggs were collected and hatched once every 7 days,and the fertilization rate,hatching rate and healthy nestling rate were calculated.At the end of the experiment,samples of breeding eggs,serum,intestinal tissue and intestinal contents were collected,and egg quality,serum biochemical indexes,antioxidant indexes,immune indexes,reproduction-related hormones,intestinal morphology and intestinal microbial diversity were determined,and the differences between groups were analyzed.The results showed that compared with the control group,the hatching rate and healthy chick rate of Xuefeng black-bone chickens increased by adding MCE to the diet(P<0.1);the eggshell strength and eggshell thickness were significantly increased by adding 150mg/kg MCE(P<0.05);and the GSH-Px activity and antioxidant capacity in serum were significantly increased by adding 200mg/kg MCE(P<0.01);the levels of progesterone(P),follicle stimulating hormone(FSH),estradiol(E2)and luteinizing hormone(LH)in serum increased significantly(P<0.05),and200mg/kg had the best effect.MCE supplemented with 200mg/kg also significantly decreased the concentration of tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α)and interleukin 6(IL-6)in serum(P<0.01),and the depth of jejunal recess was significantly decreased by adding different levels of MCE(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the addition of 100mg/kg MCE significantly increased the Shannon index of ileum(P<0.05),increased the microbial diversity,and the proportion of Deferribacteres in cecal 200mg/kg MCE group was significantly higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).In summary,the addition of MCE to the diet of Xuefeng black-bone chicken could improve its reproductive performance,egg quality,serum antioxidation and foregut microbial diversity.MCE may improve antioxidant capacity and inflammatory response by regulating hormone secretion.In terms of improving immune function and regulating hormone secretion of Xuefeng black-bone chicken,the optimum concentration of MCE is 200mg/kg.The results showed that MCE could improve the intestinal morphology of jejunum,and the relative abundance of Lactobacillus in 200mg/kg group increased significantly(P<0.1),indicating that MCE could enhance the absorption of nutrients.In terms of intestinal microorganisms,dietary 100mg/kg MCE could increase the microbial community diversity and relative abundance of jejunum and ileum,while high dose MCE could inhibit intestinal microbial diversity.