Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Blood Metabolites of Lambs Supplemented with a Polyherbal Mixture

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of the supplementation of a polyherbal mixture (HM) on the productive performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and the profile of blood metabolites of lambs fed a high-concentrate diet. Thirty-six male Pelibuey lambs (25.21 ± 0.96 kg BW) were housed in individual pens during a 56-day feeding period and were randomly assigned to four treatments: (1) Control (CON): Basal diet without HM; (2) HM1: CON + 1 g of HM kg−1 dry matter (DM); (3) HM2: CON + 2 g of HM kg−1 DM; and (4) HM3: CON + 3 g of HM kg−1 DM. Data were analyzed using the GLM (General Linear Model) procedure of statistical analysis system (SAS), and linear and quadratic effects were tested to evaluate the effects of the HM level. A quadratic increase was observed in the dry matter intake and in daily weight gain (p < 0.05) of lambs fed with HM2 and HM1, respectively. However, final body weight, body condition, carcass characteristics, and meat quality were similar among treatments (p > 0.05). It was observed a linear increase (p < 0.05) in the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration. Lymphocytes in blood from lambs supplemented with the HM1 diet increased and segmented neutrophils decreased compared to lambs receiving the CON treatment (p < 0.05). The concentration of uric acid in the blood had a linear increase (p < 0.05) and the serum creatinine level decreased (p < 0.05) as the HM dietary dose increased. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of 2 and 1 g of HM kg−1 of DM improves feed consumption and daily weight gain, respectively, without affecting carcass characteristics, meat quality, and health status on finishing lambs.

Effects of a Polyherbal Dietary Additive on Performance, Dietary Energetics, Carcass Traits, and Blood Metabolites of Finishing Lambs

“…Although it has previously been reported that dietary supplementation of tannin-containing plants can increase HCY and CCY [ 11 ], in this study HCW, HCY, CCW, CCY, ELC, ILC, CG, LL, and CI were similar in lambs of the different treatments. Similar responses were previously reported by Orzuna-Orzuna et al [ 5 ] in lambs supplemented with increasing doses (0, 1, 2, and 3 g kg −1 DM for 56 days) of a PA containing flavonoids, essential oils, and alkaloids; and by Lozano-Sánchez et al [ 23 ] in lambs supplemented with a PA (0, 5, 10, and 15 g kg −1 DM for 60 days) containing 12% hydrolyzable tannins.…”

“…However, in the present study, ADG was higher in lambs supplemented with 1 g of PA than in lambs fed 2 and 3 g of the PA and the control treatment. In a similar study, Orzuna-Orzuna et al [ 5 ] investigated the effects of other PA (0, 1, 1, 2, and 3 g kg −1 DM for 56 days) containing flavonoids, essential oils, and alkaloids on the productive performance of finishing lambs, and they observed higher FBW and ADG in lambs supplemented with only 1 g kg −1 DM of PA, but FBW and ADG decreased as the dose of PA increased, which is congruent with the results of the present study. These results suggest that low doses of PA can improve the productive performance of finishing lambs, but at high concentrations PA reduces the growth rate of lambs.…”

“…Supplementation with polyherbal additives (PA) containing bioactive compounds could be a good strategy to improve productivity and meat quality without affecting animal health [ 3 ]. Some PA have been used to improve health [ 4 ], productive performance [ 5 ], and meat quality of finishing lambs [ 6 ]. ImmuPlus ® is a PA that is standardized to contain 120 g of hydrolyzable tannins per kg of product.…”

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

“…BFT and LMA were also not affected by the HM dietary supplementation. The mechanism of action of herbal products and their bioactive compounds on lipogenesis has not been studied in lambs [4]. However, Liang et al [47] observed that, in beef cattle fed with high-grain rations, supplementation of flavonoid extracts in the diet increased BFT through changes in the differential expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism.…”

“…Dietary supplementation with herbal products seems to be a promising strategy to improve the productive performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of small ruminants [2]. Some polyherbal mixtures (HM) prepared with medicinal plants have shown positive effects on productive performance, meat and carcass quality characteristics of steers and lambs during the final fattening period [3][4][5]. On the other hand, in calves, it has been reported that the use of HM can improve growth and health status during the pre-ruminant period until weaning by modifying gene expression [6].…”