Effects of fermented ramie feed on the growth performance, serum biochemistry, metabolic capacity, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal health of Linwu ducks

• Published in: Frontiers in veterinary science Vol. 12; p. 1646055
• Main Authors: Lv, Zonghao, Zhang, Jingmeng, Li, Cong, Li, Zhen, Zhang, Zhizhong, Lv, Biguang, Cheng, Xuan, Zhao, Haohan, Chen, Qinghua, Lin, Qian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 2025
• Subjects: antioxidant capacity; duck; fermented ramie; growth performance; intestinal health; metabolic capacity; Veterinary Science; growth performance; fermented ramie; intestinal health; metabolic capacity; antioxidant capacity; duck
• ISSN: 2297-1769; 2297-1769
• DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1646055

This study investigated the effects of fermented ramie feed (FRF) on the growth performance, serum biochemistry, metabolic capacity, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal health of Linwu ducks. A total of 480 female Linwu ducks (age: 28 days) were randomly divided into five treatments (six replicates per group; 16 ducks per replicate). The control group received a basal diet and the treatment groups received the basal diet supplemented with by 3%, 6%, 9% or 12% FRF. The experiment lasted 21 days. Notably, 3% and 6% FRF trended to increase the final body weight ( P = 0.097) and significantly increased the thymus index ( P < 0.05). Regarding serum indices, FRF greatly reduced the triglyceride and glucose contents, and increased the catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities ( P < 0.05). Besides, FRF significantly increased the apparent metabolic rates of dry matter, crude protein, crude ash and gross energy ( P < 0.05). Furthermore, FRF remarkably improved villus height in the duodenum. FRF also increased the relative abundances of beneficial bacteria ( Alistipes and Barnesiella ) and reduced the relative abundances of harmful parasitic bacteria ( Desulfovibrio and Enterenecus ) in the cecum ( P < 0.05). Thus, partial FRF substitution greatly improved serum biochemistry, antioxidant capacity, metabolic capacity and intestinal health in Linwu ducks, thereby enhancing the growth performance to a certain extent. The optimal level of FRF substitution is 3%−6% according to the impacts of growth performance and overall health.