Effects of mulberry leaf flavonoids on growth performance,immunity,and rumen microorganisms of calves

LIU Xuexian; WANG Kai; YAN Yibo

doi:10.13557/j.cnki.issn1002-2813.2025.10.003

Abstract：The study aimed to explore the effects of different levels of mulberry leaf flavonoids on the growth performance,immune function,and rumen microorganisms of calves,and to determine the optimal dosage of mulberry leaf flavonoids in calves breeding.Thirty-six Holstein calves were selected and randomly divided into four groups,each with nine replicates,one calf per replicate.The control group was fed a basal diet,while test Groups 1～3 received diets supplemented with 100,200,and 400 mg/kg of mulberry leaf flavonoids,respectively.The pre-trial period was seven days,and the formal trial period was 60 days.The results showed that compared with the control group,the average daily weight gain of test Group 2 was significantly increased by 21.43%(P<0.05),and the feed to gain ratio was significantly decreased by 15.79%(P<0.05).The diarrhea rates of test Groups 2 and 3 was extremely reduced(P<0.01),decreasing by 55.03%and 62.01%,respectively.Test Group 2 showed significantly decrease interleukin-1β(IL-1β)level(P<0.05)and significantly elevated interleukin-2(IL-2)level(P<0.05).Both test Groups 2 and 3 displayed significantly increased interleukin-10(IL-10)level(P<0.05)and an extremely decrease in tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)level(P<0.01).The test Groups exhibited a significant increase in transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)level(P<0.05).Test Groups 2 and 3 showed significantly decreased relative abundance of Proteobacteria(P<0.05),significantly increased relative abundance of Fibrobacter(P<0.05),and significantly decrease relative abundance of Selenomonas(P<0.05).Test Group 2 demonstrated a significant decrease in the relative abundance of Acinetobacter(P<0.05).The test Groups revealed significantly increased relative abundance of Bacteroidetes(P<0.05),significantly increased relative abundance of Bifidobacterium(P<0.05),and an extremely increase in the relative abundance of Ruminococcus(P<0.01).The study shows that mulberry leaf flavonoids can improve growth performance and disease resistance,enhance intestinal health in calves,with suitable effects observed at an additive level of 200 mg/kg.