Dietary Eucommia ulmoides Extract Alleviates the Effect of Cold Stress on Chick Growth Performance, Antioxidant and Immune Ability

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the protective value of Eucommia ulmoides extract (EUE) on chicks under cold stress. A total of 21 compounds were identified in EUE using mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Ninety chicks were divided into a control group (CS) fed a basal diet and an experimental group supplemented with EUE, exposed to 10 ± 1 °C for 8 h per day. Results showed, compared with the CS group, the body weights (BW) (p < 0.01) and average daily gains ADG (p < 0.05) of the EUE group were increased throughout the study period. Chicks fed EUE had higher AFI (0–7 d, p < 0.001) and lower feed-to-gain ratios (F/G) (0–15 d, p < 0.001). EUE increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) (15 d, p < 0.05) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) (7 d, p < 0.05), whereas it decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) (15 d, p < 0.01). The contents of IgA (7 d, p < 0.05), IgG (7 d; 15 d, p < 0.01), and IgM (15 d, p < 0. 001) were higher in the EUE group. Dietary EUE could also reduce chick organ damage. Overall, EUE as a natural feed additive can improve the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and immune level, and reduce the organ damage of cold-stressed chicks.

Dietary supplementation of water extract of Eucommia ulmoides bark improved caecal microbiota and parameters of health in white‐feathered broilers

“…According to Hu et al (2021), adding Eucommia ulmoides water extract to the basal diets of cold-stress chicks improves ABW, ADG, ADFI and decreases feed-to-gain ratios. Dietary supplementation of Eucommia ulmoides leaves reduces the serum concentration of TC in laying ducks (Feng et al, 2023), and plasma TG and TC levels in laying hens (Peng et al, 2022).…”

“…One recent study reported that the dietary supplementation of 250 mg/kg of Eucommia ulmoides leaf extracts obviously increased the ADG of broilers in the early stage (1–21 days), and reduced the feed conversion ratio in the whole period (Yan et al, 2022). According to Hu et al (2021), adding Eucommia ulmoides water extract to the basal diets of cold‐stress chicks improves ABW, ADG, ADFI and decreases feed‐to‐gain ratios. Dietary supplementation of Eucommia ulmoides leaves reduces the serum concentration of TC in laying ducks (Feng et al, 2023), and plasma TG and TC levels in laying hens (Peng et al, 2022).…”

“…Meanwhile, the total intestine, duodenum, jejunum and ileum were collected and measured. According to Hu et al (2021), the liver, bursa of Fabricius, spleen and thymus were separated to calculate the index of each organ. The immune organ index (%) was calculated using the following formula: [(immune organ weight (g))/(body weight (g))] × 100%.…”

“…Due to the presence of many bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, lignans, iridoids, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, gutta‐percha and polysaccharides extracted, Eucommia ulmoides shows antihypotensive, hypolipidemic, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antioxidative, antifatigue, antiaging, immunomodulatory and hepatorenal protection activities with minimal side effects (Wang, Tang, et al, 2019; Zhu & Sun, 2018). Therefore, Eucommia ulmoides has been considered as an animal feed additive for promoting growth and health in the poultry industry (Hu et al, 2021; Peng et al, 2022; Yan et al, 2022; Zhao et al, 2019; Zhu & Sun, 2018). Previous data have shown that the addition of Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract to feed significantly increases growth performance, antioxidant capacity and immunity of broilers while reducing the cold stress‐induced damages in organs (Hu et al, 2021).…”

“…Therefore, Eucommia ulmoides has been considered as an animal feed additive for promoting growth and health in the poultry industry (Hu et al, 2021; Peng et al, 2022; Yan et al, 2022; Zhao et al, 2019; Zhu & Sun, 2018). Previous data have shown that the addition of Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract to feed significantly increases growth performance, antioxidant capacity and immunity of broilers while reducing the cold stress‐induced damages in organs (Hu et al, 2021). It was also observed that Eucommia ulmoides can significantly reduce the abdominal fat ratio and serum triglyceride (TGs) levels in broilers while increasing the level of serum high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and improving the meat quality (Yan et al, 2022).…”