Effects of a blend of cinnamaldehyde, eugenol and capsicum oleoresin (CEC) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, immune response and antioxidant status of growing ewes

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a blend of cinnamaldehyde, eugenol and capsicum oleoresin (CEC) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, immune response and antioxidant status of growing ewes. Fifty-four 4-month-old crossbred ewes (Dorper × Mongolian Sheep) with an initial body weight (BW) of 34.84 ± 0.51 kg were randomly assigned into three treatments with six replicates of each treatment and three ewes per replicate. The treatments were as follows: (1) CTR (control, no CEC added), (2) CEC50 (50 mg CEC/kg of feed) and (3) CEC80 (80 mg CEC/kg of feed). The experimental period lasted 60 days and was preceded by an adaption period of 15 days. The ADG were significantly greater (P = 0.04) for ewes fed CEC80 diet than those fed CTR diet. The NDF apparent digestibility was higher (P = 0.02) for ewes from CEC80 group compared to the CTR group. Ewes fed CEC had higher (P < 0.05) plasma IGF-I, IgM and IL-10 concentrations and T-AOC than ewes fed CTR diet. The plasma CAT activity of ewes received CEC diets tended to be higher (P = 0.09) than those fed CTR diet. Moreover, the plasma IgG concentration of CEC50 group was greater (P < 0.01) than the CTR group. The results of this study demonstrate that supplementation of CEC at 180 mg/kg feed was effective in promoting growth performance and nutrient digestion in growing ewes with stimulatory effects on their immune response and antioxidant status.