Effect of a microencapsulated complex of biofactors and antioxidants on the growth performance, plasma biochemistry, intestinal morphology, microbiota, and immune and antioxidant status of broiler chickens challenged with cold stress.

Abstract

The study examined the effects of a microencapsulated complex of biofactors and antioxidants [P(BF+AOx)] on growth and health status of broiler chickens challenged with cold stress. Day-old broilers were allotted to 4 treatments in a 2x2 factorial design with 2 dietary treatments:1)Control (CON;corn-wheat-soybean-based), and 2)CON + 0.015% P(BF+AOx) and 2 thermal treatments:1)Thermoneutral (TN; 29°C±1 on d8-10, 54h), and 2)Cold stress (CS; 20°C on d8-10, 54h). Treatments were allocated to 6 replicates, with 8 chicks/replicate. Growth performance was measured weekly from d 0-21. On d14, 2birds/cage were euthanized. Cold stress reduced (P<0.05) total antioxidant capacity (TAC), serum IgM, jejunal villus height (VH), villus width (VW) and VH:crypt depth (VH:CD). Irrespective of CS, P(BF+AOx) improved (P<0.05) FI (631vs.592 g/bird), BW (383vs.349 g/bird), BW gain (337 vs. 301 g/bird) up to d 14, and plasma TAC. Regardless of the challenge model, P(BF+AOx) increased (P<0.05) duodenal VW, VH:CD, jejunal and ileal VH:CD, and the relative abundance of cecal Intestinimonas and Colidextribacteria, compared to the CON. In conclusion, CS altered broiler blood parameters and gut morphology, but 0.015% P(BF+AOx) improved early life growth performance, TAC, and gut health, irrespective of CS, suggesting that it could be an effective strategy to support overall health and performance.