Effects of astragalus polysaccharide on growth performance, viscera index and pancreatic digestive enzyme activities of broilers

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to study the effect of astragalus polysaccharide(APS) on growth performance,viscera index,and pancreatic digestive enzyme activities of broilers.256 healthy 1-day-old avian broilers were randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups.Group CK,A,B and C received a basal diet supplemented with 0,0.2%,0.4% and 0.6% APS respectively for 14 d.The results showed that ①There were no significant effects of APS on growth performance both in 7-day-old and 14-day-old broilers(P0.05).②There were significant effects of APS on viscera index in 7-day-old broilers(viscera index in group A,B and C was higher than that in the CK,there were significant differences of liver and pancreas index between group B and the CK,there were significant differences of pancreas index between group C and the CK and pancreas index in group B and C were significantly higher than that in group A),but no significant effect on 14-day-old broilers.③Pancreatic lipase and trypsin activity in group A,B and C was higher than that of the CK.For 7-day-old broilers,pancreatic trypsin activity in group C was significantly higher than that in group A,B and the CK;pancreatic lipase activity of group C was significantly higher than that of group A and B.For 14-day-old broilers,pancreatic lipase activity of group A,B and C was higher than that of the CK,and that of group C was significantly higher than that of group A and B.There was no significant effect of APS on pancreatic amylase activity both in 7-day-old and 14-day-old broilers.These results indicated adding of APS had no significant effects on the growth performance of broilers but could increase pancreatic digestive enzyme activities and adding of 6% APS was more suitable to enhance those activities.