Effects of dietary dandelion (Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz.) polysaccharides on the performance and gut microbiota of laying hens

Zihang Cao; Zhenhua Liu; Nanyi Zhang; Chenguang Bao; Xinyu Li; Mengxue Liu; Wei Yuan; Hongxin Wu; Hongmei Shang

doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124422

Effects of dietary dandelion (Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz.) polysaccharides on the performance and gut microbiota of laying hens

Int J Biol Macromol. 2023 Jun 15:240:124422. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124422. Epub 2023 Apr 15.

Authors

Zihang Cao¹, Zhenhua Liu², Nanyi Zhang¹, Chenguang Bao³, Xinyu Li³, Mengxue Liu³, Wei Yuan³, Hongxin Wu⁴, Hongmei Shang⁵

Affiliations

¹ College of Forestry and Grassland Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China; Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tree and Grass Genetics and Breeding, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China.
² The Third Affiliated Clinical Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun 130118, China.
³ College of Forestry and Grassland Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China.
⁴ Institute of Grassland Research, CAAS, Hohhot 010010, China.
⁵ College of Forestry and Grassland Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China; Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tree and Grass Genetics and Breeding, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China. Electronic address: shanghongmei@jlau.edu.cn.

PMID: 37068539
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124422

Abstract

This experiment was designed to evaluate the influences of dietary dandelion polysaccharides (DP) on the performance and cecum microbiota of laying hens. Three hundred laying hens were assigned to five treatment groups: the basal diet group (CK group), three DP groups (basal diets supplemented with 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 % DP), and the inulin group (IN group, basal diet supplemented with 1.5 % inulin). Increased daily egg weight and a decreased feed conversion rate were observed when the diets were supplemented with inulin or DP. The calcium metabolism rate in the 0.5 % and 1.0 % DP groups was greater than that in the CK group. The DP groups increased the short-chain fatty acid concentration, decreased pH, and enhanced the relative abundances of Parabacteroides, Alloprevotella, and Romboutsia in the cecum. These results showed that DP supplementation in the diets of laying hens can improve their performance, which might be associated with the regulation of the cecal microbiota.

Keywords: Cecal microbiota; Dandelion polysaccharides; Laying hens.

MeSH terms

Animal Feed / analysis
Animals
Chickens
Diet
Dietary Supplements / analysis
Female
Gastrointestinal Microbiome*
Inulin / pharmacology
Taraxacum*

Substances

Inulin