Effects of pomelo peel supplementation on growth, immunity, gut health, and microbiota in weaned Hu lambs

Abstract

This study aimed to comprehensively analyze the impact of dietary supplementation of pomelo peel on growth performance, serum biochemistry, immune response, antioxidant activity, gut morphology and microorganism communities in weaned Hu lambs. Thirty healthy Hu lambs with the similar weight were randomly divided into three groups: a control group (basal diet); the PL10 group (basal diet mixed with 10% pomelo peel); the PH20 group (basal diet mixed with 20% pomelo peel). The results showed that pomelo peel had no significant effect on the growth performance of Hu lamb ( P >0.05). Antioxidant indices showed no statistical differences ( P > 0.05), but the PL10 group exhibited slightly higher T-AOC and GSH-PX. AST were significantly reduced in the PL10 group ( P  < 0.05), indicating hepatoprotective effects. For immune indices, the serum interleukin-4 concentration was increased in the PL10 group than the CON group ( P  < 0.05), analysis of the gut microbiota revealed that PL10 group had a significant increase in the bacterial phylum Bacteroidetes and several beneficial bacterial genera. Furthermore, jejunal morphology was improved in the PL10 group, with an increased villus height to crypt depth ratio ( P  < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary inclusion of 10% pomelo peel improves gut health, immunity, and metabolic status in weaned Hu lambs, offering a sustainable strategy for agricultural by-product valorization.