Substitution with Lentinus edodes chaff enhances the health and growth performance of Altay sheep, and improvement of serum immune function and oxidative resistance

The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of Lentinus edodes chaff on the growth performance, apparent digestibility of nutrients and serum biochemical indicators of male Altay lambs. Forty lambs, weighing 29.9 ± 3.8 kg and approximately 4 months old, were randomly assigned to four treatments, each consisting of ten replicates. The first group was used as a control group and was fed only the basal diet. The other three groups, which were used for comparison, were fed the basal diet, which was supplemented with Lentinus edodes chaff at 10, 20, or 30% of the dry matter, respectively. Compared to the control group, adding Lentinus edodes chaff to the sheep’s diet resulted in a 20% increase in ADG and FI ( p < 0.05). Furthermore, a noticeably lower F/G ratio was observed in the 20% group. The Apparent DM digestibility declined in 30% ( p < 0.05), whereas CP digestibility rose in 20% ( p < 0.05) and fell in 30% ( p < 0.01). NDF digestibility was elevated in both 20% and 30% ( p < 0.01). In terms of rumen fermentation parameters, the total VFA concentration was higher in the 20% group ( p < 0.01). In comparison, the 10% group exhibited lower levels of GLB, ALT, LDH and CK ( p < 0.05). In contrast, the levels of IgG and IgA in the 10% group were found to be significantly higher than those in the control ( p < 0.05). Concurrently, the levels of LDL, IgG and IgA in the 20% group exhibited higher values in comparison ( p < 0.05). Furthermore, the levels of HDL, LDL, IgG and IgA in the 30% group were higher than the levels in the control group ( p < 0.05). Furthermore, a substantial increase was observed in the levels of NO, SOD, GSH-Px and T-AOC in the three experimental groups ( p < 0.01). whereas IL-2 levels were significantly decreased ( p < 0.05), concurrently with a decrease in MDA ( p < 0.01). The 20% dietary inclusion level may improve growth, protein utilisation and systemic antioxidant status in growing Altay sheep. The optimal level of Lentinus edodes chaff is 20%.