Effects Of Artemisia Argyi Extract On Productive Performance And Immune Function In Broilers

The current research was conducted to investigate the effects of aqueous extract of Artemisia argyi on growth performance and immune function.192 one-day-old broiler chickens were randomly divided into four treatments with four replicates of 8 chicks. These four diets were formulated by adding Artemisia argyi extract of 0,500,1000 and 2000 mg/kg to the basis diet. The study was divided into two periods and lasted 42 days.The results were showed as follows:1. Under the experimental condition, compared with the control group, in the later period, the treatments of 500,1000, and 2000 mg/kg artemisia argyi extract increased significantly (p<0.05) ADG by 8.5%,7.3%, and 7.7%, respectively. These results implied that dietary supplement with artemisia argyi extract improved growth performance, and the positive effects of artemisia argyi extract was the best when wormwood was increased to 500 mg/kg.2. Artemisia argyi aqueous extract had little effect on nutrient metabolism of broilers. In the lasted period, artemisia aqueous extract significantly improved the apparent digestibility of dry matter and crude protein, compared with the control group, the metabolic rate was significantly increased in 2000 mg/kg artemisia argyi treatment.3. Artemisia argyi aqueous extract could significantly improve digestive enzyme activity, and promote the development of intestinal mucosa in broilers. The results showed that the artemisia argyi aqueous extract had a good effect to improve the activity of the chymotrypsin, trypsin, amylase. In the later period, in the amount of 1000 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg, the height of the villi were significantly higher than the control group, the duodenal crypt depth in 2000 mg/kg and the jejunal crypt depth were significantly less than the control group, the duodenal and ileum villus length and crypt depth ratio were significantly increased. In the lasted period, a dosage of 1000 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg, the jejunal crypt depth was significantly lower than the control group, the other indicators were not significant.4. Artemisia argyi aqueous extract had a good effect on lean meat and meat quality. The results showed that, when the addition in 2000 mg/kg the lean meat was significantly increased, the L · in 500 mg/kg,1000 mg/kg and the rate of cooked meat in 500 mg/kg were significantly decreased.5. Artemisia argyi aqueous extract could significantly increase the thymus index and increase immunoglobulin M, immunoglobulin G count (P<0.05).