In order to develop a novel dietary additive for the potential application in domestic animals and human, one fraction of Chinese Yam (CY) polysaccharide was prepared. This study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary supplementing CY polysaccharide on the immune response and health growth in weaned rats. Dietary supplementing CY polysaccharide increased the average daily feed intake and average daily gain, while decreased the feed-gain ratio overall after the supplementation compared with the non-additive group. CY polysaccharide also significantly increased the serum contents of IL-2 and TNF, as well as proliferation activity of peripheral lymphocytes, but decreased the serum contents of low density lipoprotein, total cholesterol and triglyceride compared with the non- supplemented group. An increase in cellular immunity in the CY polysaccharide- supplemented weaned rats, conferring an important protective role in the non- specific defense against infections. The herbal polysaccharide, as a natural green dietary additive for promoting the immune response and healthy growth, may offer an effective alternative to antibiotics for weaned animals.
Chinese Yam polysaccharide immune response performance
Key Laboratory for Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of SubtropicalAgricult Key Laboratory for Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of SubtropicalAgricult Key Laboratory for Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agricul Key Laboratory for Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of SubtropicalAgricult Department of Poultry Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA