Effect of dietary addition of Artemisia Annua on growth performance, nutrient digestion and intestinal immunity in Rabbits

Liu, L., Lin, Y., Li, C.Y., Liu, Y.X. and Li, F.C. 2022. Effect of dietary addition of Artemisia annua on growth performance, nutrient digestion and intestinal immunity in rabbits. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 22: 133-142.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of Artemisia annua on the production performance, nutrient digestion and intestinal immunity of rabbits. Weaned Hyla rabbits (35d, n=200) of similar body weight were divided into four groups (50 rabbits per treatment) fed diets with 0, 4, 8 or 12% A. annua in place of alfalfa meal powder. Our results showed that dietary supplementation with A. annua did not affect the average daily gain, feed conversion ratio or intestine development (P>0.05). The addition of 4% A. annua increased the apparent digestibility of crude fat (P<0.05) and decreased the apparent digestibility of ash, total calcium and total phosphorus (P<0.05). The addition of 4% A. annuasignificantly (P<0.05) increased the villus height in the duodenum and ileum and the villus height/crypt depth ratio in the duodenum. Dietary supplementation with A. annua significantly (P<0.05) increased the -interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-6 and IL-8 contents in the duodenum and ileum but significantly (P<0.05) decreased the secretory immunoglobulins A and immunoglobulins G contents in the duodenum and ileum (P<0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 4% A. annua increased the apparent digestibility of dietary crude fat without any effect on the growth. However, A. annua supplementation may cause an intestinal immunity response and damage the intestinal barrier.