Abstract
Simple SummaryThe rising concerns on antibiotics resistance from using antibiotics in animal production has resulted in an increase in researches on antibiotic alternatives. A phytogenic feed additive from a blend of extracts of oregano, cinnamon, citrus peel, and fructooligosaccharides was evaluated in the present study. The objective of the present study is not only to evaluate the effect of phytogenic feed additive on broiler performance, but also to explore the potential mode of actions through immune response, digestive enzyme activities, nutrient transporter gene expressions and nutrient digestibility. Supplementation of phytogenic feed additives improved broiler FCR through stimulating ileum immunity.The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of a phytogenic feed additive (PFA) on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of broilers fed corn and soybean meal-based diets containing two different levels of crude protein. A 2 × 2 completely randomized factorial arrangement (eight replicates/treatment, 30 birds/replicate) was conducted with a positive control (PC) and negative control (NC) containing crude protein at standard or reduced by 1.5% (equivalent to a reduction of 15 g/kg), respectively, and supplementation of PFA at 0 or 125 ppm of diet. There were no significant interactions found between PFA and CP levels in the current study. Main effect analysis showed that during 0–42 d of age NC diets decreased body weight gain (p < 0.05), but increased feed intake (p < 0.05) and feed conversion ratio (FCR, p < 0.01), whereas supplementation of PFA resulted in a lower FCR (p < 0.01). The ileal nutrient digestibility was reduced (p < 0.05) in the broilers fed a reduced protein diet at 21 d compared to the standard protein level group, but there were no effects for PFA levels. Similarly, supplementing PFAs showed no effects on digestive enzyme (Alkaline phosphatase, amylase, and lipase) activity in jejunal digesta and jejunal brush border enzyme (maltase, sucrase, and aminopeptidase) activity. Supplementation of PFA downregulated (p < 0.05) the mRNA expressions of cytochrome P450 1A and interleukin 6 in the ileum but had no effects on nutrient transporter genes in the jejunum. In conclusion, supplementation of PFA reduced broiler FCR during the whole grow-out period and positively regulated the immune responses in the ileum.
Highlights
The ban of using antibiotics as growth promoters have spurred research into using plant-derived compounds named phytogenic feed additives (PFAs)
The previous study demonstrated the inclusion of PFA stimulated the nutrient digestibility and small intestine villus height of broilers fed a corn soybean diet [4], it remains unknown for the effects of PFA in a low protein diet, and there might be an interaction between PFA and crude protein level
The objective of the present study is to evaluate the effects of PFA and dietary protein levels on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and transportation, and the immunity of broilers
Summary
The ban of using antibiotics as growth promoters have spurred research into using plant-derived compounds named phytogenic feed additives (PFAs). The botanical constituents used in broiler diets as a single compound or multiple cocktails exhibit growth-promoting, immune-regulatory, antimicrobial, stimulating nutrient digestibility and antioxidant properties [2,3,4,5,6]. Reducing the crude protein level in the broiler diet has recently attracted much attention since it could reduce the feed cost and nitrogen excretion [7,8]. The previous study demonstrated the inclusion of PFA stimulated the nutrient digestibility and small intestine villus height of broilers fed a corn soybean diet [4], it remains unknown for the effects of PFA in a low protein diet, and there might be an interaction between PFA and crude protein level
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