Effect of using Plantago ovata psyllium seed powder on some physiological, immunological and histological characteristics of broiler chickens

Abstract

This experiment was conducted in the Office of Agricultural Research’s chicken farm, the Animal Resource Department, and the chicken Research Station, from January 13 to February 23, 2023. The experiment used thirty-one-day-old Ross 308 chicks, with an average weight of 38.1 grams. The enclosed hallway housing the thirty cells where the chicks were raised. The chicks were randomly assigned to one of five treatments. Each treatment was repeated five times with 10 birds each replication. The birds were fed a balanced food and a balanced diet was used. At 0, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1% of the ration in each of the five treatments (T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5), psyllium was found in Plantago ovata seeds. The findings showed that there was no significant difference in the blood plasma concentrations of glucose, triglycerides, and very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) between the experimental treatments. It was discovered that all treatments had considerably (P≤0.05) lower amounts of cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins (HDL), and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) than the control therapy. It was shown that treatments T5, T4, and T3 resulted in significantly higher blood serum levels of IgG (P≤0.05) compared to the control therapy. Furthermore, it was shown that blood IgM levels increased significantly (P≤0.05) in response to treatments T5 and T4. Serum IgA concentrations in all study treatments rose considerably (P≤0.05) as compared to the control treatment. The relative weights of glandular and index fabricia did not differ noticeably amongst the treatments. The findings showed that the villus height, diameter, and crypt depth in the T4 and T3 treatments were considerably (P≤0.05) larger than in the control treatment. After conducting the experiment, we conclude that broiler chickens’ body composition and immunohistochemistry features may be improved by including 0.4-1% of psyllium seed powder into their diets.