Abstract
This study sought to evaluate the effects of Artemisia argyi aqueous extract (AAE) on rumen fermentation parameters and the microbiota within the rumen of lambs. A total of 32 lambs that are 3 months old and 24.06 ± 0.04 kg in body weight were randomly assigned to four treatment groups, with eight replicates per treatment. The diets for the four groups were formulated with the following adding dose of AAE: 0 mg/kg (CON), 500 mg/kg (AAE-L), 1000 mg/kg (AAE-M), and 1500 mg/kg (AAE-H), respectively. The results showed that, compared to the CON group, three AAE add groups significantly decreased the A/P ratio; AAE-M and AAE-H groups significantly increased MCP and propionic acid contents. Supplementation with AAE had no significant effect on the alpha and beta diversity of the rumen microbiota, but significantly increased the relative abundances of beneficial bacteria, such as Actinobacteriota in the rumen. In conclusion, AAE supplementation improved the rumen fermentation and microbiota of lambs. In the overall consideration, under the conditions of this research, the supplementation of 1000 mg/kg AAE was optimal.
Published Version
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