Effects of different concentrations of tannic acid supplementation on growth performance, blood biochemistry and immune indicators, and gut microbiota diversity in Pekin Ducks

This study investigates the effects of dietary supplementation with varying concentrations of tannic acid on Pekin Ducks, focusing on four key aspects: 1) Growth performance parameters including weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and growth efficiency; 2) Blood biochemical profiles encompassing liver/kidney function markers, cholesterol levels, and enzyme activities; 3) Immune system responses through analysis of cytokine production and immunoglobulin levels; 4) Gut microbiota diversity assessed via 16S rRNA sequencing to evaluate microbial community structure and diversity metrics. The research aims to identify optimal tannic acid concentrations that enhance duck health and productivity while maintaining gut ecosystem balance, potentially providing scientific evidence for using tannic acid as a natural feed additive in poultry farming. Special emphasis will be placed on understanding the concentration-dependent relationship between tannic acid administration and its potentially dual effects - beneficial biological activities at lower doses versus possible growth inhibition at higher concentrations.