Dietary supplementation of a novel phytogenic feed additive: effects on nutrient metabolism, antioxidant status and immune response of goats

Abstract

Fifteen adult Jamunapari goats (12–14 months; 18.83 ± 0.83 kg) were used to ascertain the effect of a phytogenic feed additive (PFA) on nutrient utilisation, metabolic profile, antioxidant status and immune response. The goats, randomly assigned to three groups, were fed a standard diet supplemented with the PFA at 0 (CON), 2 (PFA-2) and 3 (PFA-3) % of feed intake for a period of 60 days. Bodyweight and feed intake were recorded. At the end of the experiment, a metabolism trial was conducted. Blood was collected at fortnightly intervals and used to assess blood metabolites, select hormones and erythrocytic antioxidant status. Humoral and cell-mediated immune responses were also assessed. Although dietary use of PFA improved (P < 0.05) the digestibility of all the nutrients, supplementation of PFA did not impart any significant effect (P < 0.05) on dry matter intake or bodyweight changes. Nitrogen balance was higher (P < 0.05) in both the PFA groups compared with the CON. Most of the blood metabolites showed comparable values except for a lower (P < 0.05) aspartate aminotransferase activity in PFA-3. Serum cortisol reduced (P < 0.05) with PFA supplementation in a dose-dependent manner. The supplementation of PFA increased (P < 0.05) the activity of antioxidant enzymes viz. glutathione peroxidase, catalase and glutathione-S-transferase at higher doses (PFA-3), but did not alter the non-enzymatic antioxidant indices. There was no influence of PFA on the cell-mediated or humoral immune responses. Overall, the results indicated the potential of the PFA for improvement in nutrient utilisation and antioxidant status in adult goats.

Selection and characterization of probiotic lactic acid bacteria and its impact on growth, nutrient digestibility, health and antioxidant status in weaned piglets

“…Reduced glutathione (GSH) activity in packed RBC was measured by 5, 5-dithiobis-(2-nitro-benzoic acid; DTNB) method as per the procedure of Prins and Loos [ 42 ]. Where, the haemolysate and RBC suspension were prepared from whole blood as per the standard protocol [ 43 ].…”

Nutrient digestibility, hindgut metabolites and antioxidant status of dogs supplemented with pomegranate peel extract

“…Blood samples were collected from the cephalic vein of dogs in two separate vials (with heparin and acid dextrose citrate; ACD) for estimating erythrocyte antioxidants and blood metabolites before and after each feeding period and processed as detailed elsewhere ( 14 ) . Blood samples collected in ACD were centrifuged at 2000 g for 20 min after being refrigerated for 2 h to harvest the erythrocytes.…”

Productive Performance, Carcass Traits, and Meat Quality in Finishing Lambs Supplemented with a Polyherbal Mixture

“…Previous studies [8,9] have shown that some plants containing saponins, flavonoids and polysaccharides can improve antioxidant status, ruminal fermentation, immune response and productive performance in sheep. Likewise, some HM containing saponins, flavonoids and tannins have been shown to have a positive impact on nutrient utilization efficiency in goats [10]. Other products containing saponins have shown positive impact on energy metabolism and on the duodenal flux of amino acids [11], ruminal fermentation rate [12,13], rumen microbial populations [14], and production of volatile fatty acids [12][13][14].…”