Dietary supplementation of Astragalus flavonoids regulate intestinal immunology and the gut microbiota to improve growth performance and intestinal health in weaned piglets

Astragalus (AS) flavonoids have been suggested as safer and more effective feed additives than antibiotics. This study aimed to explore how dietary supplementation of AS total flavone (TF) and AS calycosin (CA) affects the growth performance, intestinal immunity, and microflora of weaned piglets. AS-TF and AS-CA regulated jejunal microbial diversity and composition. Olsenella, Mitsuokella, and Kitasatospora showed a strong correlation with serum levels of IL-10, IgG, and IgM, and ileal mucosal secreted IgA was positively correlated with Blautia and norank_f__Butyricicoccaceae. Overall, AS flavonoids improved growth performance and health, likely by improving serum and intestinal immunology and the jejunal microbiota structure. CA plays a crucial role in boosting host immunity, exerting effects comparable to those of antibiotics. This study for the first time demonstrated the positive effect of AS flavonoids on weaned piglets and provided a scientific reference for the efficient use of AS products.And the journal asked us to upload the raw data of microbial sequencing.