Effects of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua and Semen Cassiae feed additive on intestinal microflora of Wanxi White Goose

Abstract

The widespread use of antibiotics in poultry breeding has led to drug resistance of pathogenic microorganisms. With long-term dependence on antibiotics, immunity in poultry has decreased, increased susceptibility and seriously affecting the quality of poultry protein products and consumer health. Chinese medicinal herbs come mainly from nature and are natural products, so are called green feed additives. It has become an important substitute for antibiotics in high-quality livestock products. In this study, Wanxi White Geese were used as the research object to explore the effects of Chinese medicinal herb feed additives on intestinal microorganisms. Semen Cassiae and Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua increased the number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in intestinal microorganisms of geese, and the number of OTUs increased with dosage. Semen Cassiae or Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua has great influence on the abundance of intestinal microbes. The relative abundance of Clostridiales was higher than the control (feeding only the basal diet) after treated with Semen Cassiae or Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua feed additives. Chinese medicinal herb feed additives inhibited Erysipelotrichales and the relative abundance of Erysipelotrichales in all treated samples was lower than the control group. Alpha diversity analysis also showed that Chinese medicinal herb feed additives promoted the diversity of intestinal microorganisms. The purpose of this study is for future research and practical application of feed additives.