Effects of Feeding Chrysanthemum Stem-leaf on Growth Performance and Serum Antioxidant Indices of Growing Lambs

This study was conducted to determine the effects of feeding chrysanthemum stem-leaf on growth performance and serum antioxidant indices of growing lambs.Thirty-six weanling Hu lambs with an average body weight of (16.0±2.6) kg were randomly assigned to four groups,with three replicates per group and three lambs per replicate.The ratio of roughage to concentrate in all pelleted total mixed rations was 70:30.Proportion of rice straw to chrysanthemum stem-leaf in roughage was 70:0,45:25,25:45,and 0:70 in diets Ⅰ to Ⅳ,respectively.The trial lasted for 72 days with the first 12 days for adaptation.The results showed as follows:with the feeding level of chrysanthemum stem-leaf increasing,average daily gain was increased,with a significant difference between groups Ⅰ and Ⅳ (P0.05).With the feeding level of chrysanthemum stem-leaf increasing,serum catalase activity and total antioxidant capacity were increased,and the above two indices in groups Ⅲ and Ⅳ were significantly higher than those in group Ⅰ (P0.05).Serum glutathione peroxidase content in group Ⅲ was significantly higher than that in other groups (P0.05).With the feeding level of chrysanthemum stem-leaf increasing,serum malondialdehyde content was decreased,with a significant difference between groups Ⅰ and Ⅳ (P0.05).In conclusion,chrysanthemum stem-leaf as a roughage into diets can increase antioxidant ability and promote growth of growing lambs.