Effects of Plant Polysaccharides on Growth Performance, Blood Biochemical Indices, Intestinal Antioxidant and Enzyme Activities, and Microbial Diversity in Early-Weaned Squabs

Plant polysaccharides, such as Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) and Glycyrrhiza polysaccharide (GPS), have potential as functional feed additives. This study investigated the effects of dietary APS and GPS on growth-related traits, serum biochemical and immune indices, antioxidant capacity, intestinal health, and microbial diversity in early-weaned squabs. A total of 192 15-day-old Silver King squabs were randomly divided into four groups: the control group (CK), the 800 mg/kg APS group, the 450 mg/kg GPS group, and the APS + GPS combination group (AG group), with 12 replicates per group and 4 squabs per replicate. The experiment lasted for 28 days. The results showed that final body weight tended to be higher in the APS, GPS, and AG groups, whereas breast width and breast depth were significantly increased in the GPS and AG groups (p < 0.01). The GPS and AG groups exhibited increased serum immunoglobulin A (IgA; p < 0.05) and immunoglobulin G (IgG; p < 0.01) levels, as well as reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α; p < 0.01). All treatments increased serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC; p < 0.01), while the AG group reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and increased total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities (p < 0.01). Duodenal and jejunal T-AOC increased in all treatment groups (p < 0.01), and APS and AG increased ileal T-AOC (p < 0.01). However, intestinal MDA concentrations increased in several segments, indicating a complex and segment-specific oxidative response. The AG group also increased jejunal lipase activities (p < 0.05). Microbiome analysis suggested that Helicobacter was correlated with immune-related indicators, while Lactobacillus was identified as an important core genus in the microbial co-occurrence network. These findings suggest that dietary APS and GPS may regulate immune function, oxidative-antioxidant responses, intestinal function, and gut microbial composition, thereby supporting physiological adaptation in early-weaned squabs.