Abstract
INTRODUCTION: This study investigated the effects of stage-specific supplementation with 0.1% resveratrol on growth performance, immune function, and intestinal microbiota in Cherry Valley ducks from 1 to 42 days of age. METHODS: A total of 300 1-day-old Cherry Valley ducks were randomly allocated into a control group (C) and four treatment groups (R1~R4). Resveratrol was administered via diet at 14, 21, 28, or 35 days of age until 42 days. Growth performance, slaughter traits, serum immune indices, and intestinal microbiota were analyzed. RESULTS: In growth performance, the R1~R4 groups exhibited significantly improved slaughtering rates compared to the control (P < 0.01). The R1&R2 groups showed marked elevations in semi-evisceration rates (P < 0.001), while the R1 group displayed a significant increase in full-evisceration rate (P < 0.01). In terms of immune function, the R4 group demonstrated elevated serum IgA levels by 46.37%. All treatment groups exhibited upward trends in IgG. Complement C3 in the R2 group was markedly higher than the control (P < 0.0001). Interleukins IL-2 and IL4 were significantly upregulated in R1&R2 groups (P < 0.01). Thymus and spleen indices showed increasing trends in R3&R4 and R4 groups, respectively. With respect to intestinal microbiota, α-Diversity indices were significantly enhanced in R2&R4 groups (P < 0.001). β-Diversity analysis revealed distinct clustering between treated groups and controls. LEfSe analysis identified Bacteroides, Alistipes, and Faecalibacterium as biomarkers in R2&R4 groups, with pathogenic genera (Prevotellaceae, Desulfovibrio) reduced. DISCUSSION: Resveratrol supplementation improved slaughtering performance, immune competence, and intestinal homeostasis in Cherry Valley ducks. Resveratrol supplementation from day 21 (R2 group) showed the most favorable outcomes for growth-immunity-microbiota axis regulation, highlighting its potential as a precision nutrition strategy in waterfowl aquaculture.