Abstract

GD68 is newly developed herb complex prescription. The constituent herbs of GD68 were Massa Medicata Fermentata, Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba, Poria, Zingiberis Siccatum Rhizoma, Crataegi Fructus, Saccarum Granorum, Agastachis Herba, Taraxaci Herba, Perillae Herba, Scutellariae Radix, Astragali Radix, Ginseng Radix, Houttuyniae Herba and Halloysitum Rubrum. The aim of this study was to examine feed value of GD68 in duck. The weight gain of ducks fed with supplemental GD68 high compared to those of the control. The feed intake and mortality of ducks fed with supplemental GD68 low compared to those of the control. The moisture, crude lipid and calorie content of the ducks fed GD68 were decreased, but the crude protein content of the ducks fed GD68 was increased. And we investigated the effect of GD68 on the production of cytokines in human T-cell line, MOLT-4 cells. GD68 plus concanavalin A (Con A) increased the interferon-<TEX>$\gamma$</TEX> and interleukin-2 production compared with Con A alone. These results indicate that the supplemental GD68 may improve the production, meat quality and immunity of ducks.