Dietary influence of de-oiled lecithin on broiler growth, Blood parameters, Antioxidant status, Thyroid hormones and immunoglobulins: An analysis across two distinct strains of broilers

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of adding an emulsifier, de-oiled soybean lecithin (DOL) in diet, on growth performance, blood parameters, antioxidant potential, thyroid hormones (T3 & T4), and serum immunoglobulins in two distinct strains of commercially raised broilers, Ross 308 (S1) and Evian 48 (S2). A total of 800 one-day-old broiler chicks from both strains (N = 400 each) were assigned to a control group (T0) and three dietary treatments, each with five replicates of 20 birds. Experimental treatments included a basal diet supplemented with varying levels of de-oiled lecithin (DOL): T1 = 0.5 g/kg, T2 = 1 g/kg, and T3 = 1.5 g/kg. The study used a 2 × 4 factorial design, which allows for the examination of the effects of two factors (in this case, strains and dietary treatments) on the outcome variables. Following 35 days, the broilers of strain S1 and those fed the T3 supplemented diet exhibited superior body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), cumulative feed intake (CFI), cumulative feed conversion ratio (CFCR), performance index (PI%), and lower mortality rate (Mr %) (P < 0.05) compared to those of strain S2 and those fed other dietary levels. A significant disparity (P < 0.05) was observed between the two strains regarding the plasma concentrations of ALB, GLB, A/G ratio, CHO, HDL, AST, and ALT, with strain S1 showing better levels. Similarly, the broiler chicks in group T3, along with the interaction between groups S1 × T3 and S2 × T3, demonstrated a significant (P < 0.05) improvement in blood biochemical parameters. Broilers of strain S1 and those on the T3 supplemented diet, along with the interactions between the groups S1 × T3 and S2 × T3, demonstrated substantial improvements (P < 0.05) across assessed parameters of antioxidant status and thyroid hormones, when compared to other dietary treatments and the control group. In conclusion, the addition of DOL as a supplement improved growth performance, blood parameters, antioxidant capacity, thyroid hormones (T3 & T4), and serum immunoglobulins in both broiler strains.