Effects ofandon growth performance, immune functions, cecal microbiota, and brain metabolites in Sansui ducks.

Abstract

and, recognized for their antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties, have demonstrated potential benefits. However, the specific mechanisms by which these herbs impact poultry health, particularly regarding alterations in gut microbiota and brain metabolite profiles, remain insufficiently investigated. This study aimed to investigate the effects ofandsupplementation on the growth performance, immunity, cecal microbiota, and brain metabolites in Sansui ducks. A total of 216 one-day-old ducks were randomly assigned to three treatments for a 35-day trial, each with 6 replicates of 12 ducks. The dietary treatments included a basal diet (T3), a basal diet supplemented with 40&#x202f;mg/kg(T1), and a basal diet supplemented with 40&#x202f;mg/kg(T2). The results showed that bothandtreatments significantly improved final body weight (by 3.0 and 4.1%, respectively) and increased serum IgG and IgM levels by 7.4 and 9.0%, and decreased feed conversion rates by 5.4 and 5.0%, respectively, compared to the control (<&#x202f;0.05). Notably,supplementation significantly increased the relative abundance ofand, and significantly decreased the relative abundance ofcompared to the control group (<&#x202f;0.05).treatment increased the relative abundance ofcompared to the control group (<&#x202f;0.05). Brain metabolite analysis showed thatincreased glutamine (Gln) levels by 18.4% and decreased-aminobutyric acid (GABA), tyrosine (Tyr), and acetylcholine (Ach) by 19.7, 14.6, and 22.5%, respectively (<&#x202f;0.05).increased 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) concentration by 31.2% (<&#x202f;0.05). Correlation analysis indicated associations between gut microbiota (,,, and) changes and brain metabolites (GABA, Ach, and Glutamic [Glu]), suggesting the potential influence of these herbs through the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Supplementation withandenhanced growth performance, immunity, and brain neurochemical profiles, potentially through gut microbiota modulation. These herbs show promise as functional feed additives in duck production.