Abstract:
The experiment aimed to investigate the effects of
Aurantii fructus immaturus (AFI) extract on the growth and intestinal regulation of bullfrog. Bullfrog basal feed was used as the control group (CON), and the additive groups received AFI extract at concentrations of 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg (F500, F1000, and F2000) for a 56d feeding trial. The results showed that: (1) the final body weight (FBW) and weight gain rate (WGR) in the F1000 and F2000 groups were significantly higher (
P<0.05) than those in the CON group. (2) Compared with the CON group, the activities of intestinal trypsin, lipase, α-amylase, serum alkaline phosphatase, and acid phosphatase (ACP) in the F1000 group were significantly higher (
P<0.05). (3) The serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alanine aminotransferase (AST) activities in the AFI extract-added group were significantly lower than those in the CON group (
P<0.05). (4) The serum and intestinal malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the AFI extract-added group were significantly lower, and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significantly higher (
P<0.05) compared with those in the CON group. Additionally, the levels of intestinal catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) were significantly increased (
P<0.05) in the AFI extract addition groups. (5) Compared with the CON group, the Shannon index and Simpson index of the intestinal flora in the addition group were significantly decreased (
P<0.05). At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Firmicutes (thick-walled bacteria) decreased, while Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Fusobacteria increased in the additive group. At the genus level, the relative abundance of
Mycobacterium,
Cetobacterium,
Lactococcus, and
Rhodococcus were higher, whereas the relative abundance of
Dorea and
Mycoplasma were reduced in the AFI extract-added group. In summary, the moderate addition of AFI extract to bullfrog feed promote the growth, increase the activity of intestinal digestive enzymes and antioxidant capacity, and improve the structure of intestinal flora. It is recommended that the optimal amount of AFI extract in bullfrogs feed should be 1000 mg/kg.