Abstract
ABSTRACT The feasibility of Laminaria japonica powder (LJP) combined with cecropin as a dietary supplement to enhance broiler growth performance and immune function was evaluated in this study. In total, 648 one-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly distributed into nine numerically-equal treatment groups: T1 (control group; fed a basal diet); T2 (fed the basal diet supplemented with 1% LJP);T3 (fed the basal diet supplemented with 300mg cecropin/kg); and T4,T5,T6,T7,T8 and T9, individually fed with the dietary supplemented with varying levels of LJP and cecropin). Compared with the control, dietary of LJP or cecropin supplementation slightly improved feed conversion ratio (FCR). However, the dietary supplementation of LJP combined with cecropin significantly improved broiler growth performance during the periods of 1-21,21-42, and 1-42 days (p<0.05).The dietary supplementation of 3% LJP combined with 300 mg/kg cecropin significantly increased FCR, and serum Newcastle disease antibody titers and lymphocyte numbers during the periods of 1-21, 21-42, and 1-42 days (p<0.05). Cecal microorganisms were cultivated and the number of Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus colonies were counted. The dietary supplementation of LJP combined with cecropin remarkably inhibited E. coli growth and increased Lactobacillus growth. The results of this study demonstrate the feasibility of using LJP and cecropin as feed supplement for improving the growth performance and enhancing the immune function of broilers.
Highlights
There has been growing interest to control the use of antibiotics in poultry feeds over recent years because the high daily intake of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) is considered a possible risk factor for the increasing microbial resistance against antibiotics, and the presence of AGP residues in animal products may cause serious health problems to the consumers (Castañon, 2007)
It can be concluded that the dietary supplementation of Laminaria japonica powder (LJP) and cecropin may reduce diarrhea and enhance the absorption of ingested nutrients of broilers during the feeding stage
The active substance of LJP, stimulates lymphocytes, changing their cell structure, which affects immunity (Immanuel et al, 2012).In addition, because cecropin causes membrane permeabilization of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, it kills the bacteria in the intestinal tract, improving the immune function (Hui et al, 2002). These results demonstrated that cecropin and LJP act in synergy to enhance the immune function of broilers during the rearing period
Summary
There has been growing interest to control the use of antibiotics in poultry feeds over recent years because the high daily intake of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) is considered a possible risk factor for the increasing microbial resistance against antibiotics, and the presence of AGP residues in animal products may cause serious health problems to the consumers (Castañon, 2007). Bai et al (2013) reported that the dietary addition of Laminaria japonica powder (LJP) enhanced the growth performance and improved the immune function eRBCA-2018-0826. In order to overcome these disadvantages, Wang et al (2011) proposed that dietary supplementation of antibacterial peptides combined with other additive could be more effective in improving the growth performance and immune function of poultry. Until now, co-supplementation of dietary LJP and cecropin for improving the growth performance and immune function of broilers was rarely reported. In the current study, the influence of co-supplementation of dietary LJP and cecropin on the growth performance and immune function of broilers was first examined. Serum samples were diluted 1:500 and incubated in 96-well microtiter plates, and the assay was performed according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
