Abstract:
In order to investigate the effects of Borneol Cinnamomum camphora leaf powder on the reproductive performance, serum immunity, antioxidant and intestinal health indexes of Youxian partridge ducks, according to the principle of similar weight, 100-day-old healthy Youxian partridge ducks were divided into two groups, respectively, namely the control group and the experimental group. There were six replicates in each group and six birds for each replicate. The ducks in the control group were fed a basal diet, and those in the experimental group were fed a basal diet supplemented with 3% Borneol Cinnamomum camphora leaf powder according to the concentration of Borneol Cinnamomum camphora leaf powder in broiler and laying hens’ diets. The pre-testing period lasted for 7 d, and the test period lasted for 42 d. At the end of the test, the reproductive performance indexes were counted, and two ducks were randomly selected from each repetition for slaughter. The immunity performance, antioxidant indexes and the intestinal health indexes were measured. The results showed that compared with the control group, the ovary weight and ovary index of the female ducks in the test group were significantly increased(P<0.05); the liver weight of the male ducks in the test group was extremely significantly decreased(P<0.01), and the liver index was significantly decreased(P<0.05); the mass concentration of serum immunoglobulin A(IgA) of the female ducks in the test group was significantly increased(P<0.05); the jejunal and duodenal goblet cell counts were significantly increased(P<0.05); the E. coli counts in the cecum cecum of male and female ducks in the test group, the Lactobacillus counts of male ducks in the test group, and the Bifidobacterium counts of female ducks in the test group were significantly decreased(P<0.01). It indicated that the addition of 3% Borneol Cinnamomum camphora leaf powder to the diet could improve the intestinal health of male ducks and the immune performance of female ducks, and promote ovarian development in female Youxian partridge ducks, and at the same time, reduce the number of beneficial and harmful intestinal colonies in both male and female ducks.