Effects of pantothenic acid on growth performance, slaughter performance, lipid metabolism, and antioxidant function of Wulong geese aged one to four weeks

This experiment was conducted to study the effects of pantothenic acid on the growth performance, slaughter performance, lipid metabolism, and antioxidant function of one-to four-week-old Wulong geese and determine the appropriate supplemental level of pantothenic acid. A total of 360 one-day-old Wulong geese were randomly divided into 6 groups with 6 replicates per group and 10 geese (5 males and 5 females) per replicate. The geese in group Ⅰ (control group) were fed a basal diet, and the geese in groups Ⅱ to Ⅵ (experimental groups) were given the basal diet supplemented with 8, 15, 30, 60, and 120 mg/kg pantothenic acid, respectively. The experiment lasted for 4 weeks. Based on the results of unrelated comparative analysis, the body weight was the highest when the dietary pantothenic acid level was 27.57 mg/kg. When the dietary pantothenic acid level was 26.17 mg/kg, the average daily gain peaked. When the dietary pantothenic acid level was 15.50 mg/kg, the feed:gain ratio was the lowest. The percentage of abdominal fat in groups Ⅲ and Ⅳ was significantly lower than that in group Ⅰ (P < 0.05). The content of total cholesterol in serum in groups Ⅲ to Ⅴ was significantly lower than that in group Ⅰ (P < 0.05). The triglyceride content in groups Ⅲ and Ⅳ was significantly lower than that in group Ⅰ (P < 0.01). The high-density lipoprotein–cholesterol content in group Ⅳ was significantly higher than that in group Ⅰ (P < 0.05). The total antioxidant capacity of serum and liver in group Ⅳ was significantly higher than that in group Ⅰ (P < 0.05). The malondialdehyde content in the liver in groups Ⅲ and Ⅳ was significantly lower than that in group Ⅰ (P < 0.05). Glutathione peroxidase activity in the serum in group Ⅳ was significantly higher than that in group Ⅰ (P < 0.05). Glutathione peroxidase activity in the liver in groups Ⅳ and Ⅴ was significantly higher than that in group Ⅰ (P < 0.01). The addition of pantothenic acid in the diet of one-to four-week-old Wulong geese significantly affected the growth performance, slaughter performance, lipid metabolism, and antioxidant function of the geese. In terms of economic benefits, the optimal supplemental level of pantothenic acid in one-to four-week-old geese was 15.50 mg/kg.