Effects of magnolol on growth performance, immune function, and antioxidant capacity of weaned lambs.

The experiment aimed to investigate the effects of magnolol on the growth performance, immune function, and antioxidant capacity of weaned lambs. A total of 32 weaned Hu sheep lambs were randomly divided into four groups, with eight replicates per group and one lamb per replicate. The control group was fed a basal diet, while the experimental groups were fed experimental diets containing 0.05%, 0.10%, and 0.20% magnolol, respectively. The pretrial period was one week, and the formal trial period was 60 days. The results showed that the total weight gain and average daily weight gain in the 0.10% magnolol group increased by 30.90% and 30.98% compared to the control group (P<0.05), respectively. The feed conversion ratio in the 0.10% and 0.20% magnolol groups decreased by 19.67% and 12.31% compared to the control group (P<0.05), respectively. The diarrhea rates in the 0.05%, 0.10%, and 0.20% magnolol groups decreased by 37.53%, 75.06%, and 52.97% compared to the control group (P<0.05), respectively. Compared to the control group, the levels of serum immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) in the 0.10% magnolol group were significantly increased (P<0.05). The serum interleukin-4 (IL-4) level in the 0.10% magnolol group was significantly increased (P<0.05), while the serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) level in the 0.10% and 0.20% magnolol groups was significantly decreased (P<0.05). The serum interleukin-10 (IL-10) level in the 0.10% magnolol group was significantly increased (P<0.05), and the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) level was significantly decreased (P<0.05). The serum interferon-γ (IFN-γ) level in the 0.05%, 0.10% and 0.20% magnolol groups was significantly increased ( P<0.05). The activities of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in the serum of the 0.10% and 0.20% magnolol groups were significantly increased ( P<0.05), while the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the serum of the 0.05%, 0.10%, and 0.20% magnolol groups was significantly decreased (P<0.05). The study indicates that the addition of magnolol to the diet of Hu sheep lambs can improve growth performance, reduce diarrhea rates, enhance immunity, and increase antioxidant capacity. The appropriate addition level of magnolol is 0.10%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]