Effects Of Yucca Schidigera Extract On Growth Performance,immune Performance And Intestinal Health Of Young Pigeons

In this study,the experiments were carried out in two forms: artificial gavage of Yucca schidigera extract(YSE)solution and free feeding of pellet feed containing YSE,exploring the effects of YSE on growth performance,serum biochemical indexes,immune function and intestinal health of young pigeons,in order to provide a theoretical basis for determining the appropriate amount of YSE in the diet of young pigeons.The main results are as follows:Experiment 1: A total of 11 plant extracts were screened by inhibiting the growth of Salmonella,Escherichia coli,Trichomonas and promoting the proliferation of Lactobacillus in vitro.The results showed that Echinacea purpurea,Radix Scutellariae and Licorice could effectively inhibit Salmonella;L-theanine,Curcumin,Yucca schidigera,Radix scutellariae and Licorice had good inhibitory effects on Escherichia coli;Licorice and Yucca schidigera have the best effect on Trichomonas inhibition;Radix scutellariae,Curcumin and Yucca schidigera could promote the proliferation of Lactobacillus.Comprehensive analysis showed that YSE had good performance in bacteriostasis,insect inhibition and beneficial bacteria in vitro.Experiment 2: A total of 120 28-day-old young pigeons were randomly assigned to4 treatments,gavage administration.The experiment was designed with Nacl(A),5mg/mL(B),10 mg/mL(C)and 15 mg/mL(D)YSE.The effects of YSE on growth performance,serum biochemical indexes,intestinal tissue morphology and fecal ammonia nitrogen content of young pigeons were compared and analyzed.The results showed that the addition 10 mg/mL YSE significantly increased the serum total protein concentration(P<0.05);the addition 10 mg/mL and 15 mg/mL YSE significantly decreased the concent of serum total cholesterol(P<0.05),and the height of jejunal villi increased significantly(P<0.05);the addition 5 mg/mL and 10 mg/mL YSE significantly decreased the concent of serum alanine aminotransferase(P<0.05),the crypt depth of ileal decreased significantly(P<0.05);the addition 5 mg/mL YSE significantly reduced the ammonia nitrogen concentration of young pigeons feces(P<0.05).Comprehensive analysis showed that the optimum concentration is 10mg/mL.Experiment 3: A total of 48 squabs at 28-day-old were randomly assigned to 2treatments.The experiment was designed with 0 mg/mL(A),10 mg/mL YSE(B).The effects of YSE on serum levels of immunoglobulins,Newcastle disease antibody,lymphocyte proliferation rate,immune organ index and intestinal microbial diversity of young pigeons were compared and analyzed.The results showed that YSE could significantly increase the concent of Ig M(P<0.05),promote the proliferation of peripheral blood lymphocytes(P<0.05),and there was a significant difference in microbial diversity(P<0.05).In conclusion,YSE had no significant effect on the growth performance of young pigeons.However,it can improve serum biochemical indexes,intestinal tissue morphology,immune function and intestinal microbial abundance.The optimum concentration is 10 mg/mL.The study provided a theoretical basis for determining the appropriate amount of YSE in the diet of young pigeons.