Supplementation of Cichorium intybus roots improved the growth performance, immunity response, gut ecology and morphology of broilers chicken Ross308 strain

Abstract

Gut microbiome plays a key role in maintaining the health of broilers by stimulating the development of immune system, improving the uptake of nutrients and inhibiting several enteric pathogens. “Antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs)” are generally used to inhibit the proliferation of pathogenic gut microbiota. Despite its beneficial characteristics, AGPs could cause severe adverse consequences, one of them is development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria which posed major threat to public health. Whereas, the use of AGP from natural origin could be risk free or low toxicity. A research trial was conducted to investigate the effects of supplementation of various natural prebiotics including inulin and chicory (Cichorium intybus) root powder on performance, carcass traits, serum biochemistry, intestinal histology, immune response and gut ecology in broiler chick of Ross308 strain. One-day-old chicks (n = 200) were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments. Growth performance, intestinal histomorphology, antibody titer against ND, ileal Lactobacillus count were significantly (P < 0.05) improved in treatments groups as compared to control (P < 0.05). Total cholesterol levels, serum triglyceride, ileal E. coli count, serum albumin, globulin were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in the dietary treatments groups in comparison to control at 42day of the experiment. A non-significant difference was found in serum Aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Bilirubin and uric acid among all treatment groups (P > 0.05) which indicates that no physiological dysfunction was induced in treated birds. In conclusion Cichorium intybus root powder and inulin may be considered as risk free alternative to chemically synthesized antibiotic growth promoters.