Impact of Rumex nepalensis on Performance, Blood Markers, Immunity, Intestinal Microbiology and Histomorphology in Broiler Chicken.

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The study investigated the impact of utilizing Rumex nepalensis leaf powder (RNL) as a phytogenic feed additive on performance, blood markers, intestinal microbiology and histomorphology in broiler chicken. One hundred eighty day-old Cobb broiler chicks were randomly divided into four treatment groups having three replicates with fifteen birds each. Four iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous diets primarily based on maize-soybean were formulated, viz., CN (Control)-fed basal diet only; RNL2.5 (basal diet + 2.5 g/kg RNL); RNL5 (basal diet + 5 g/kg RNL); and RNL10 (basal diet + 10 g/kg RNL). The results revealed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in body weight gain and feed conversion ratio in dietary treatments compared to CN with best values in RNL10 followed by RNL5. The blood markers like glucose, total protein, creatinine, alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) showed no significance (p > 0.05) among all the treatments, however total cholesterol significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in RNL5 and RNL10 as against CN. Regarding immune parameters, immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced in RNL5 and RNL10. Antioxidant enzyme status showed that superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased and malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in RNL10 compared to CN. Gut health in terms of cecal microbiology and histomorphology of duodenum and jejunum were altered by inclusion of RNL in the broiler diet. A significant decrease (p < 0.05) in coliform count was recorded by incorporation of dietary treatments with highest reduction in RNL10. Lactobacillus count and total viable count did not vary significantly (p > 0.05) among dietary treatments and CN. Duodenal and jejunal villus height and villus height/crypt depth ratio were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in RNL5 and RNL10 compared to RNL2.5 and CN. Thus, it could be concluded that inclusion of Rumex nepalensis leaf powder in the diet resulted in improved performance and better immuno-antioxidant status of broilers. Further, an improvement in the gut health was observed in terms of positive effects on cecal microbiota and intestinal histomorphology of broiler chickens.