Evaluation of different portions of the ImmuPlus® polyherbal additive fed to fattening lambs

Abstract

Objective: To verify that “Immuplus” a polyherbal feed plant additive (Tinospora cordifolia, Ocimum sanctum, Whitania somnifera, Andrographis paniculata y Azadirachta indica) improve the productive performance in finishing lambs. Design/methodology: Twenty male Hampshire x Suffolk lambs (initial body weight 33.6+1.9 kg) were assigned according to a completely randomized design. Treatments consisted of dietary inclusion of the Immuplus at 0 and 14 g kg-1 dry matter by 35 days.  Results: Daily gain, final body weight, feed conversion, dry matter intake were improved by polyherbal dietary inclusion (P<0.01), however back fat thickness or chop area were not modified (P>0.05). Study limitations/implications: The large number of plants and bioactive compounds in Inmuplus limit the identification of the components that influence the modification of the metabolism of lambs. Findings/conclusions: The dietary inclusion of 14 g kg-1 dry matter of immuplus improve lambs’ productive performance.Objective: To verify if the ImmuPlus® polyherbal feed additive (Tinospora cordifolia, Ocimum sanctum, Whitania somnifera, Andrographis paniculate, and Azadirachta indica) improves the productive performance of finishing lambs.Design/Methodology/Approach: Twenty Hampshire × Suffolk male lambs (initial live weight 33.6±1.9 kg) were distributed according to a completely randomized design. Treatments consisted of the inclusion of 0-1.4 g kg -1 of dry matter ImmuPlus® in the diets of lambs, for 35 days. Results: The inclusion of the polyherbal mixture (P<0.01) improved average daily gain (ADG), final live weight (FBW), feed conversion (FC), dry matter (DM) intake; however, the said mixture did not modify the back-fat thickness or chop area (P>0.05).Study Limitations/Implications: The large number of plants and bioactive compounds included in ImmuPlus® limits the identification of the components that modify the metabolism of lambs.Findings/Conclusions: The inclusion of 1.4 g kg -1 dry matter of ImmuPlus® in the diet of lambs improved their productive performance