The effects of dietary supplementation with ellagic acid on the growth performance, nutrient apparent metabolic rate, slaughter performance, and fecal microbiota diversity of young pigeons

Jie Ren^1,2Mingcong Ding¹Yuanhao Li¹Jiajia Liu^1*Yafei Liang¹

• ¹Xinjiang Agricultural University, Ürümqi, China
• ²Xinjiang Agricultural University College of Animal Science, Urumqi, China

The aim of this experiment was to assess the growth performance, apparent metabolic rate of nutrients, slaughter characteristics, and fecal flora diversity in pigeons. A total of 192 29-day-old American King Pigeons, weighing 470 ± 10 g, with an equal distribution of males and females, were selected. The pigeons were randomly assigned to four groups, with six replicates per group and eight pigeons per replicate. The experimental groups were supplemented with ellagic acid (EA) at concentrations of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg, respectively. The pre-feeding period lasted for 4 days, followed by a formal experimental period of 28 days. The results indicated that, in terms of growth performance, 400 mg/kg EA significantly improved chest width, chest depth, and tibia length in pigeons. However, no significant effect was observed on the apparent metabolic rate of nutrients in the young pigeons. Regarding blood parameters, dietary supplementation with 100 mg/kg EA increased serum glutathione peroxidase levels, while 100–200 mg/kg EA supplementation elevated serum immunoglobulin A levels. Additionally, 200 mg/kg EA supplementation raised serum total protein levels. Supplementation with 400 mg/kg EA regulated liver function, reduced serum aspartate aminotransferase activity, and increased serum malondialdehyde content. In terms of slaughter characteristics and organ weights, EA supplementation improved immune organ indices, enhanced immunity, and significantly increased muscle and stomach weight. In terms of fecal flora diversity, a 200 mg/kg EA supplementation level was found to be beneficial for maintaining the richness and stability of the intestinal microbiota. In conclusion, adding ellagic acid to the diet improved growth performance, immunity, total protein levels, and intestinal microbiota stability in pigeons, with the most pronounced effects observed at a supplementation level of 200 mg/kg.