Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Antimicrobial Peptide on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemistry and Intestinal Health in Broilers

Abstract

Background: The study was undertaken to determine the efficiency of supplementation of antimicrobial peptide on growth performance, serum biochemistry, intestinal morphology, antioxidant status and gene expression of cytokines and tight junction proteins in broiler chicks as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters that impart residues in broiler meat. Methods: The FCR was calculated by dividing the respective feed intake of chicks by weight gain during the respective period. Two broiler chicks were randomly selected from each replicate based on the average body weight of the corresponding replicate. After sacrifice, blood for serum and sections of small intestine were collected for the assessment of intestinal morphology, antioxidant activity measurement and gene expression of cytokines and tight junction proteins. Result: The results revealed that supplementation of antimicrobial peptide significantly improved the overall weight gain of broiler chicks compared to the NC. There was a significant increase in the activities of intestinal superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in the antimicrobial peptide supplemented group. AMP significantly modulates the gene expression of intestinal cytokines (IL-17A, IFN-α, IFN-γ and IL-10) and tight junction protein genes. These results indicate that antimicrobial peptide supplementation had beneficial effects on growth performance and intestinal health in broilers.