%0 Journal Article %9 journal article %J Journal of Animal and Feed Sciences %@ 1230-1388 %V 17 %N 4 %D 2008 %F Liu2008 %T Effects of herbal extract supplementation on growth performance and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I system in finishing pigs %X The study’s main objective was to investigate the effects of a specific blend of herbal extracts (HEs) on growth performance, antioxidant status, and components of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system in finishing pigs. A total of 16 PIC (Pig Improvement Company) pigs (60.1±1.2 kg; eight gilts and eight barrows) were randomly assigned to one of the two dietary groups, with four pens/group (per pen: one gilt, one barrow). The pigs were fed with a basal diet containing 0 (control) or 250 mg HEs /kg diet for 47 days. The results indicated that herbal extract supplementation led to an increase (P<0.05) on the average daily gain and serum IGF-I level, and a decrease (P 0.05). IGF-I, insulin receptor mRNA levels (liver, stomach, duodenum, muscle) and IGF-I receptor (IGFIR) mRNA (stomach, duodenum, muscle) were high (P<0.05), while the level of IGF-IR mRNA was low (P<0.05) in the liver tissue compared with the control pigs. The results suggest that herbal extract supplementation has an antioxidant capacity, enhance the growth performance and exhibits tissue-specific regulation of IGF-IR mRNA level. In addition, the results also suggest the possible physiological role of the IGF system in controlling the HEs-supported growth of finishing pigs. %A Liu, G. M. %A Wei, Y. %A Wang, Z. S. %A Wu, D. %A Zhou, A. G. %A Liu, G. L. %P 538-547 %R 10.22358/jafs/66681/2008 %U https://doi.org/10.22358/jafs/66681/2008