Effect ofsupplementation on growth performance, serum immunity, antioxidant status, and intestinal health in winter fur-growing raccoon dogs ().

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to investigate the effects ofsupplementation on the growth performance, nutrient utilization, serum biochemistry, immunity, antioxidant status, and intestinal microbiota of raccoon dogs during the winter fur-growing period. METHODS: Forty-five 135 (&#xb1;5) day-old male raccoon dogs were randomly assigned to three dietary groups supplemented with 0 (group N), 1 &#xd7; 10(group L) and 5 &#xd7; 10CFU/g (group H), with 15 raccoon dogs per group. RESULTS: The results showed thatin groups L and H improved average daily gain (ADG) and decreased feed-to-weight ratio (F/G) (< 0.05). No significant difference was found in nutrient digestibility and nitrogen metabolism among the three groups (> 0.05). Compared with group N, serum glucose levels were lower in groups L and H (< 0.05). The levels of serum immunoglobulins A and G in group L were higher than those in the other two groups (< 0.05), and the levels of serum immunoglobulins A and M in group H were higher than those in group N (< 0.05). Supplementation within groups L and H increased serum superoxide dismutase activity, and the total antioxidant capacity in group H increased compared with group N (< 0.05). The phyla Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were dominant in raccoon dogs. The results of principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) showed that the composition of microbiota in the three groups changed significantly (< 0.05). The relative abundance of Campylobacterota was increased in the H group compared to the N and L groups (< 0.05). The relative abundance ofwas increased in group L compared with the other two groups (< 0.05), while the relative abundance ofandwere decreased in group H compared with the other two groups (< 0.05). Also, the relative abundance ofandwas higher in group L (< 0.05) compared with group H. DISCUSSION: In conclusion, dietary supplementation withimproved growth performance, antioxidant activity, immune status, and improved intestinal microbiota in winter fur-growing raccoon dogs. Among the concentrations tested, 1 &#xd7; 10CFU/g was the most effective level of supplementation.