Effects of compound of hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida) and Chinese yam (Dioscorea opposita Thunb.) extracts on growth performance, intestinal health, and immune function in weaned pigs

Abstract Plant extracts were considered as natural resources to alleviate weaning stress in pig production. A 28‐day study (Phase 1: d 0–14 and Phase 2: d 15–28) was conducted to investigate the effects of compound of hawthorn and yam extracts on growth performance, intestinal health, and immune function in weaned pigs. A total of 144 weaned pigs with average body weight (BW) of 7.89 ± 1.09 kg were assigned to three treatments with six replicates pens by BW and sex. Dietary treatments included negative control (NC), corn‐soybean meal basal diet; positive control (PC), NC + 0.08% enzyme preparations and 0.3% acidifiers; and CHY, NC + 0.3% compound of hawthorn and yam extracts. Compared with NC‐fed pigs, pigs fed CHY had greater ( p < 0.05) growth performance in Phase 1. The CHY‐fed pigs had greater ( p < 0.05) activities of duodenal lipase, trypsin, and greater ( p < 0.05) serum concentrations of total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase. The CHY‐fed pigs had improved ( p < 0.05) jejunal morphology and greater ( p < 0.05) ileac valeric acid and colonic propionic acid, isobutyric acid concentrations than NC‐ and PC‐fed pigs. In conclusion, CHY can improve growth performance and is a promising additive in weaned pig diets.