Impact of dietary sanguinarine supplementation on performance, immune response, meat quality and intestinal morphology in broilers challenged with lipopolysaccharide

Dietary Nigella sativa supplementation enhances performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, immune response, and gut health in broilers

Forsythia suspensa extract enhances performance via the improvement of nutrient digestibility, antioxidant status, anti-inflammatory function, and gut morphology in broilers

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of mixture of essential oils and organic acid supplementation on growth performance, blood profiles, leg bone length and intestinal morphology in ROSS broilers. A total of 40 Ross 308 broiler (1140 ±80g) were randomly allocated to 2 groups, basal diet (CON), basal diet+0.05% Avi-protect® (AVI), with 20 replicates every group, and 1 chicken per replicate per cage. The BW (P < 0.05) and weight gain (P < 0.05) of broilers were increased in the AVI group compared with the CON group. The content of triglyceride (P < 0.05) and LDL (P < 0.05) significantly decreased in the AVI group compared with the CON group. There was no significant difference on leg bone length between the AVI and the CON group (P > 0.05). the villi height (P < 0.05) and goblet cell count (P < 0.05) significantly increased in the AVI group compared with the CON group. In conclusion, the Avi-protect® as feed additives improved the growth performance and lipid metabolism and promoted the development of intestinal morphology in broilers.

Simple SummaryLysolecithin is produced from the enzymatic conversion of lecithin, resulting in a smaller molecule better able to improve the process of digestion of fats and oils than its progenitor. In broiler production, lysolecithin can improve performance when added to nutritionally adequate diets, but also when diets are reformulated to provide lower levels of energy and amino acids. Low-energy diets may provide more ‘space’ for growth improvements, but there is a scarcity of data on the effect of lysolecithin when added to low-energy diets containing only intact fat from raw feed ingredients. Moreover, the ability of pure lysolecithin to improve energy digestion and absorption can be further improved by the addition of synthetic emulsifiers and monoglycerides. The present study aims to evaluate the effect of supplementing a combination of lysolecithin, synthetic emulsifier, and monoglycerides on growth performance, intestinal morphology, carcass traits, and meat characteristics in broilers fed commercially relevant low-energy diets without added oil. The results revealed that this combination could effectively improve growth performance, carcass characteristics, and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens.This study aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementing a combination of lysolecithin, synthetic emulsifier, and monoglycerides (LEX) on growth performance, intestinal morphology, and selected carcass traits in broilers fed low-energy diets without added oil. Three hundred one-day-old Arbor Acres (AA) broilers (40.3 ± 3.3 g) were assigned to two dietary treatments with six replicates of 25 birds each and were fed a control low-energy diet without added oil supplemented with 0 and 250 g/t of LEX for 30 days. Growth performance was measured and recorded throughout the study. At slaughter, 60 birds per treatment were used to assess the effect of LEX on the carcass traits. Final average body weight and feed conversion ratio were improved (p < 0.05) in LEX treated birds compared to control. LEX supplementation was linked to higher (p < 0.05) carcass weight and yield and to lower (p < 0.05) abdominal fat and liver weight. Moisture content was higher (p < 0.05) in ground deboned broilers from LEX treatment. Villus height was increased (p < 0.05), and crypt depth reduced (p < 0.05) in the jejunum of birds treated with LEX. This study demonstrates that supplementation of LEX to a low-energy diet without added oil improved performance, carcass weight and yield, reduced abdominal fat deposition, and improved intestinal morphology in broiler chickens.

The extracted phycocyanin by-products retain nutritional value, including proteins, polysaccharides, and bioactive compounds, which have the potential as feed supplements in broiler production. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of by-products acquired during phycocyanin extraction, which is used as a novel synbiotic supplement, on the production performance and intestinal health of broilers in a tropical climate. A total of 240 one-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were randomly distributed among five dietary treatment groups; they received a diet supplemented with a synbiotic product (probiotic [Lactobacillus johnsonii] at least 1.0 × 108 colony-forming unit/mg with prebiotic [by-product of phycocyanin extraction]) at 0.000%, 0.025%, 0.050%, 0.075%, and 0.100%. We investigated the effects of dietary synbiotic supplements on the growth performance, meat quality, intestinal morphology, and cecal bacterial population of broiler chickens aged 35 days. Synbiotics used as a dietary supplement did not affect the growth performance of broilers during any experimental period (p > 0.05); however, it significantly increased the redness of meat and decreased the levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances on days 3 and 7 of storage (p < 0.05). Moreover, synbiotics significantly improved the height and surface area of villi in the duodenum and jejunum (p < 0.05). The study demonstrated that dietary supplementation with 0.1% synbiotics, incorporating a by-product of phycocyanin extraction, did not significantly influence the growth performance of broiler chickens. However, it positively affected meat quality by increasing redness and reducing lipid oxidation during storage. Additionally, synbiotic supplementation significantly enhanced intestinal health by improving the villi height and surface area in the duodenum and jejunum, highlighting its potential benefits for broiler intestinal morphology and meat quality in tropical climates. Further research is recommended to explore the mechanisms underlying these effects and their implications for long-term poultry health and productivity.

Dietary β-sitosterol regulates serum lipid level and improves immune function, antioxidant status, and intestinal morphology in broilers

ObjectiveThis study was conducted to determine the effects of stale maize on growth performance, immunity, intestinal morphology, and antioxidant capacity in broilers.MethodsA total of 800 one-day-old male Arbor Acres broilers (45.4±0.5 g) were blocked based on body weight, and then allocated randomly to 2 treatments with 20 cages per treatment and 20 broilers per cage in this 6-week experiment. Dietary treatments included a basal diet and diets with 100% of control maize replaced by stale maize.ResultsThe content of fat acidity value was higher (p<0.05) while the starch, activities of catalase and peroxidase were lower (p<0.05) than the control maize. Feeding stale maize diets reduced (p<0.05) average daily feed intake (ADFI) throughout the experiment, feed conversion ratio (FCR) during d 0 to 21 and the whole experiment as well as relative weight of liver, spleen, bursa of Fabricius and thymus (p<0.05) on d 21. Feeding stale maize diets decreased jejunum villus height (VH) and VH/crypt depth (CD) (p<0.05) on d 21 and 42 as well as ileum VH/CD on d 42. The levels of immunoglobulin G, acid α-naphthylacetate esterase positive ratios and lymphocyte proliferation on d 21 and 42 as well as lysozyme activity and avian influenza antibody H5N1 titer on d 21 decreased (p<0.05) by the stale maize. Feeding stale maize diets reduced (p<0.05) serum interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-2 on d 21 and interleukin-6 on d 21 and 42. Broilers fed stale maize diets had lower levels of (p<0.05) total antioxidative capacity on d 42, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase on d 21 and 42, but higher (p<0.05) levels of malondialdehyde on d 21 and 42.ConclusionFeeding 100% stale maize decreased ADFI and FCR, caused adverse effects on immunity and antioxidant function and altered intestinal morphology in broilers.

Dietary fenugreek leaf powder improves growth performance, immune function, antioxidant status, and intestinal health in yellow-feathered broilers.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of exogenous bile acids (BAs) on production performance, serum biochemistry, lipid metabolism, and intestinal morphology in broilers. A total of 20,000 one-day-old Arbor Acres broilers were randomly assigned to two treatment groups, with eight replicates of 1,250 chicks each, for a duration of 42 days. The control group broilers were provided with normal drinking water, while the treatment group broilers were provided with drinking water supplemented with 100 mL of BAs per ton. The results showed that BAs supplementation significantly decreased abdominal fat yield (p < 0.05), while having no significant effect on other slaughter characteristics (p > 0.05). In addition, BAs supplementation significantly decreased serum acrylic aminotransferase concentrations (p < 0.05). Moreover, BAs supplementation also significantly decreased the mRNA expression of lipogenesis-related genes (p < 0.05) and increased the mRNA expression of lipolysis-related genes in the liver (p < 0.05). Furthermore, BAs supplementation significantly improved jejunal morphology by increasing jejunum villus height (VH) (p < 0.05). In summary, BAs supplementation improved production performance, serum enzyme activity, lipid metabolism, and intestinal morphology in broilers, providing a theoretical basis for the application of BAs in broiler production.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of colostrum powder on performance, intestinal morphology, blood biochemical parameters and antioxidant status of broilers in heat stress. In this experiment 224 Ross-308 broiler chicks were used from 1 to 42 days in 5 treatments and 4 replicates (12 birds per replicate) in a completely randomized design. Treatments included: 1) control (without using colostrum), 2) 0.5% of colostrum, 3) 1% of colostrum, 4) 1.5% of colostrum, and 5) 2% of colostrum powder. Colostrum powder was added in first 10 days of broilers breeding period in their diets. Colostrum powder had significant effects on performance, carcass traits and intestinal cells morphology of broilers in heat stress (P &lt; 0.05). In grower period the highest amounts of final body weight and body weight gain were obtained with 2% of colostrum powder. Colostrum powder in contrast to control improved the percentages of gizzard, liver, bursa of fabricious, thighs and breast (P &gt; 0.05). The highest villies, the lowest crypts and the highest ratio of villies/crypts were obtained with colostrum powder adding (P &gt; 0.05). Colostrum powder had no significant effects on blood biochemical parameters and antioxidant status of broilers. The overall resulted showed that in broilers in heat stress condition using colostrum powder up to 2% in starter period has beneficial effects on performance, carcass traits and intestinal morphology of broilers.

Effects of different dietary algal species on growth performance, meat quality, and intestinal morphology in broilers

The study evaluated the effects of dietary β-1,3-glucan supplementation on growth performance, organ weight, meat quality, and intestinal health in broilers with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Experiment 1, a total of 304 one-day-old Ross 308 male broiler chicks (average initial body weight: 43.06 ± 6.94 g) were randomly assigned to two treatments with 8 replications (19 birds per replication): CON (basal diet) and TRT1 (basal diet + 0.1% β-1,3-glucan). Supplementation of β-1,3-glucan significantly increased body weight gain (BWG) ( P &lt; 0.05), while feed intake and feed conversion ratio remained unaffected. Breast muscle weight, pH, and water-holding capacity increased, and drip loss decreased ( P &lt; 0.05). Experiment 2 also involved 304 Ross 308 male chicks with an initial BW of 42.03 ± 4.38 g. The chicks were assigned to two treatments with 8 replications (19 birds per replication): TRT1 (basal diet + 2.5% DSS) and TRT2 (basal diet + 2.5% DSS + 0.1% β-1,3-glucan). After 35 days, β-1,3-glucan supplementation significantly improved BWG ( P &lt; 0.05) and intestinal length at both 18 and 35 days ( P &lt; 0.05). The study concluded that dietary β-1,3-glucan supplementation enhanced growth performance, meat quality, and intestinal health in broilers.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary novel alkaline protease from Bacillus licheniformis on the growth performance, meat quality, antioxidant status and intestinal morphology of broilers. In total, 4000 broilers were randomly assigned into five groups and treated with normal control, normal control + 100 mg kg-1 protease, normal control + 200 mg kg-1 protease, normal control + 300 mg kg-1 protease and normal control + 400 mg kg-1 protease. Supplementing protease impacted final body weight (linear, P = 0.003; quadratic, P = 0.006) and decreased feed conversion rate (linear, P = 0.036) in broilers. Moreover, dietary protease significantly increased breast muscle rate (linear, P = 0.005; quadratic, P = 0.021) and decreased drip loss (linear, P < 0.001; quadratic, P < 0.001). In addition, dietary protease notably increased protein digestibility (linear, P = 0.001; quadratic, P = 0.006) and trypsin activity (linear, P = 0.002; quadratic, P = 0.009) in jejunum. Light microscopy revealed that the jejunum villi in the 300 mg kg-1 and 400 mg kg-1 groups exhibited greater height and a denser arrangement compared to those in the control group. The addition of protease decreased malondialdehyde content (linear, P < 0.001; quadratic, P < 0.001) and increased total antioxidant capacity (linear, P = 0.001; quadratic, P < 0.001) in pectoral muscles. The results of the present study suggest that dietary novel alkaline protease from B. licheniformis improved growth performance by affecting trypsin activity, protein digestibility, antioxidant capacity and intestinal health. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Dietary probiotic inclusion level modulates intestinal mucin composition and mucosal morphology in broilers

Effects of dietary pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium supplementation on inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and intestinal morphology in broiler chickens challenged with lipopolysaccharide