Effects of Modified Zhizhu Powder on growth performance, blood routine examination, serum biochemical indexes, and intestinal digestive enzymes of weaned rabbits.

The purpose of this experiment was to study the effects of adding Modified Zhizhu Powder to diet on the growth performance, blood routine examination, serum biochemical indexes, and intestinal digestive enzymes of weaned rabbits. Ninety 35-day-old healthy New Zealand white rabbits with similar weight were randomly divided into five groups with six replicates in each group and three rabbits in each replicate. The rabbits in the control group were fed with basal diet, while the experimental group was fed with 2‰ enrofloxacin powder and 1‰, 3‰, and 5‰ Modified Zhizhu Powder, respectively. The pre-test period was seven days, and the formal test period was 14 days. The results showed that compared with the control group, the average daily gain of weaned rabbits in the Modified Zhizhu Powder group increased significantly (P<0.05), the diarrhea rate decreased significantly, and there was no death of rabbits. Compared with the control group, the immune organ index of weaned rabbits in the Modified Zhizhu Powder group increased significantly (P<0.05), and it was dose-dependent. Compared with the control group, the number of white blood cells, lymphocytes, and neutrophils in the Modified Zhizhu Powder group decreased significantly (P<0.05). The content of immunoglobulin in 5‰ Modified Zhizhu Powder group increased significantly (P<0.05). Modified Zhizhu Powder can enhance the secretion of lipase, α-amylase, cellulase, and trypsin in small intestine, and promote the absorption of energy in intestinal tract of young rabbits by up-regulating the gene expression level of glucose transporter in small intestine. The study indicates that the addition of Modified Zhizhu Powder in the diet of weaned rabbits can improve the growth performance, enhance the immune function, reduce the inflammatory level of the body, and improve the digestion and absorption capacity of intestinal tract. The suitable addition level of Modified Zhizhu Powder in diet is 3‰~5‰. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]