Abstract
As the world population increases, there will be an increase in demand for poultry meat. To satisfy this requirement, sustainably will be a significant challenge as different countries in the world face different health problems. Additionally, for decades, poultry nutritionists have worked on sustainability in broiler manufacturing plants. The usage of short- and medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), which have positive effects as growth promoters and immunostimulants, is a pioneering way to decrease the cost of diets and improve environmentally friendly and sustainable production in this critical era. This study aimed at evaluating the influences of alpha-monoglyceride (alpha-monolaurin) on the growth performance, biochemical parameters, lipid profiles, liver oxidative stress, and immune response in broilers. Alpha-monolaurin was included at the levels of 0 (control), 0.25, 0.5, and 1 g/kg in broiler diets. After 33 days, dietary supplementation of alpha-monolaurin showed no impact on the feed intake; however, broilers fed 0.5 g/kg feed displayed a significantly reduced food conversion ratio, as compared to the control (p ≤ 0.05). However, body weight and body weight gain tended to increase after 0.25 g/kg alpha-monolaurin supplementation, as compared to other groups. The highest European production efficiency factor (EPEF) was obtained with 0.25 g/kg alpha-monolaurin supplementation. The ether extract utilization and spleen weight were improved substantially (p ≤ 0.05) by alpha-monolaurin supplementation, but muscle and other organ weights were not affected. Plasma alanine transaminase (ALT) was decreased significantly by alpha-monolaurin supplementation, while plasma total protein and albumin were enhanced (p ≤ 0.05). Interestingly, broilers fed alpha-monolaurin displayed an increased antibody titer of the Newcastle disease (ND) virus and muscle unsaturated fatty acid content, and a decreased liver content of malondialdehyde (MDA). It could be assumed that dietary supplementation of alpha-monolaurin positively impacts birds’ feed efficiency and immune response and can be applied as a natural immune enhancer in the broiler industry.
Highlights
Poultry production is required to provide consumers with a safe and healthy animal protein source [1]
The current study uniquely evaluated the effects of alpha-monolaurin on the growth rate, nutrient utilization, biochemical blood indices, lipid peroxidation, and resistance to Newcastle disease (ND) in broilers
The MDA levels were significantly reduced in birds provided with a level of 0.25 and 1 g alpha-monolaurin/kg feed compared to the control, without a significant difference from birds fed at 0.5 g/kg (p ≥ 0.05)
Summary
Poultry production is required to provide consumers with a safe and healthy animal protein source [1]. Sustainability 2021, 13, 5231 conditions such as colibacillosis, necrotic enteritis, Newcastle disease, and gangrenous dermatitis, which lead to the loss of billions of dollars through reduced performance and mortality [2]. The broiler industry’s profitability may decrease due to different factors, such as improper nutrition and management and a high level of mortality due to viral and bacterial disease infections. The continuous usage of antibiotics as growth promoters and antibacterial agents threatens the natural immunity of birds and causes environmental hazards [5]. Another defect is the inaccuracy of controlling all pathogenic microorganisms, due to antibiotics’
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