Status Of Broiler Chickens Research Articles

Effect of Salix alba leave extract on growth performance, antioxidant level and immune status of broiler chickens reared at high altitude cold desert

Effect of Salix alba leave extract on growth performance, antioxidant level and immune status of broiler chickens reared at high altitude cold desert

Milk Kefir as a Natural Probiotic, Individually or in Combination with Organic Acids in Broiler Chickens: Influence on the Immune-Related Gene Expression, Intestinal Morphology, Microbiota Activity, and Serum Biochemistry

The objective of this study was to examine the influence of the addition of milk kefir (MK), as a natural probiotic to drinking water, individually or in combination with organic acids (OA), on the growth performance, intestinal microbial counts and morphology, serum metabolites and immune status in broiler chickens. Two hundred and fifty one-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly distributed into 4 treatment groups including a control group, and the control group with MK (2% of drinking water), OA (350 mL/1000 L of water), or MK+OA. At d 35, Body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio were recorded. At the end of the experiment (d 35), five birds per treatment were selected to determine the bacterial population, serum biochemical metabolites, and intestinal morphology. According to the results, water supplemented with MK increased the mRNA levels of IFN-γ and IFN-β at 35 d in the jejunum (P < 0.05). OA supplementation significantly increased the gene expression of IL-6 (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the gene expression of IL-12 increased in broilers fed the control diet (P < 0.05). The broiler chickens that received MK+OA showed an improvement in feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05) compared with OA and control groups. The addition of MK+OA resulted in a higher relative weight of thigh in broiler chickens compared with the MK group (P < 0.05), while the relative weight of spleen was lower in OA and MK treatments compared with the MK+OA group (P < 0.05). The results also indicated that the addition of MK+OA decreased the ileocaecal E. coli population compared to other treatments (P < 0.05). Conversely, the birds that received MK+OA had a higher viable count of ileocaecal lactobacilli (P < 0.05) compared with the OA group. In conclusion, the combination of OA with MK had beneficial effects on the performance, intestinal immune-related genes, and gut microbiota activity of broiler chickens.

Influence of Anacardium occidentale leaf supplementation in broiler chicken diet on performance, caecal microbiota, blood chemistry, immune status, carcass, and meat quality

ABSTRACT 1. This study investigated the growth performance, caecal microbiota, blood chemistry, splenic cytokines, serum immunoglobulins, carcase, meat quality and oxidative status of broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with Anacardium occidentale leaf powder (AOLP) in comparison with antibiotic and synthetic antioxidant. 2. Three hundred and twenty, one-day old Arbor Acre broiler chicks were randomly allotted into four treatment groups consisting of eight pen replicates with 10 birds per pen. The treatment groups were T0, basal diet only; T1, basal diet + 0.4 g/kg oxytetracycline + 0.12 g/kg butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA); T2, basal diet + 2 g/kg AOLP and T3, basal diet + 4 g/kg AOLP. The birds were fed for 42 d when performance was assessed, and then euthanised. 3. During 0–42 d, feed conversion ratio was higher (P = 0.033) in T0 birds compared with birds fed other diets. Diet did not affect carcase traits, organ weights, serum biochemical indices, and meat composition, pH, cook loss or meat colour. Supplemented birds had higher erythrocyte (P = 0.042) and haemoglobin (P = 0.025), and lower leukocytes (P = 0.012) compared with the T0 birds. 4. Diet T3 upregulated (P = 0.020) splenic interleukin-10 compared with other diets. The T0 birds had higher (P < 0.05) interleukin-6 and serum IgG and IgM compared with the supplemented birds. Caecal E. coli and Salmonella spp. counts were higher (P < 0.05) in T0 birds than in the supplemented groups. Lactobacillus spp. counts were higher (P = 0.001) in T3 birds than in those fed other diets. Breast and thigh meat from the T0 birds had higher (P < 0.05) TBARS value, and carbonyl content compared to the supplemented birds. The T0 breast meat had higher drip loss (P = 0.001) than meat from the supplemented birds. 5. The results suggested that AOLP exhibited antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that were comparable to the responses to oxytetracycline and BHA (T1) in broiler diets. Nonetheless, the efficacy of AOLP needs to be verified under disease challenge or compromised health condition.

Corrigendum Effect of Dietary Supplement of Algae (Spirulina platensis) as an Alternative to Antibiotics on Growth Performance and Health Status of Broiler Chickens

Corrigendum Effect of Dietary Supplement of Algae (Spirulina platensis) as an Alternative to Antibiotics on Growth Performance and Health Status of Broiler Chickens

Effect of dietary rice distillers dried grains with solubles and enzyme supplementation on growth performance and immune status in broiler chickens

Effect of dietary rice distillers dried grains with solubles and enzyme supplementation on growth performance and immune status in broiler chickens

Effects of Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis and Bacillus subtilis PB6 on growth performance, intestinal microbiota and morphology, and serum parameters in broiler chickens

Context The use of microalgae as prebiotics in poultry diets may improve production efficiency by modifying the gastrointestinal ecosystem. Prebiotic properties of the cyanobacterium Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis have been confirmed, but effects of its combination with probiotics on broiler chicken performance are unclear. Aims This experiment was designed to study the effects of different levels of a microalga (Spirulina platensis) and a probiotic (Bacillus subtilis PB6, BSPB) on performance, intestinal microbiota and morphology, and blood parameters in broiler chickens. Methods One-day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens (300 in total) were allocated to six treatments in a completely randomised design with 3 × 2 factorial arrangement including three levels of Spirulina (0%, 0.05% or 0.1% of diet) and two levels of BSPB (0% or 0.05% of diet) and were reared for 42 days. Key results Individual use of Spirulina and BSPB improved bodyweight gain and feed conversion ratio of broiler chickens. The relative weight of the breast cut was greater in broilers treated with 0.05% Spirulina than in those receiving Spirulina-free treatments. The count of lactic acid bacteria was higher in the ileum of birds receiving only BSPB than in those receiving diets without BSPB. The use of 0.1% Spirulina in the diet decreased the pH and coliform population in the ileum compared with 0% Spirulina. There was an interaction between Spirulina and BSPB on villus height (VH) and the VH:crypt depth ratio in the small intestine. Co-supplementation with 0.1% Spirulina and BSPB increased VH and the VH:crypt depth ratio in the duodenum compared with diets supplemented, respectively, with 0.1% Spirulina and BSPB alone. Broiler chickens fed diets with BSPB had higher activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and lower concentrations of cholesterol and triglyceride in serum. Conclusions The results show that supplementation with Spirulina and BSPB had a positive effect on performance and carcass quality of broiler chickens. The synergistic interaction between these supplements leads to enhancement of epithelial morphology in the small intestine. Implications Because of the potential of Spirulina and BSPB to create beneficial changes in the intestinal ecosystem and serum parameters, these dietary additives could be recommended for improving the quantity and quality of meat products and health status in broiler chickens.

Effects of feather processing methods on quantity of extracted corticosterone in broiler chickens.

Corticosterone is known as a biological stress index in many species including birds. Feather corticosterone concentration (FCC) has increasingly been used as a measure for chronic stress status in broiler chickens. As sample preparation is the first step of analytical process, different techniques of feather matrix disruption need to be validated for obtaining better result in analysing corticosterone extraction. The current study was a validation of pulverizing the feather by bead beater (BB) and surgical scissors (SS) processing prior to corticosterone extraction in feather of broiler chickens. The type of feather processing prior to the hormone extraction may alter the final output. Thereby, finding a standard method according to laboratory facilities is pivotal. This study carried out to determine the effects of feather pulverization methods on the extraction amount of corticosterone in broiler chickens. Feathers were sampled from four weeks old Ross 308 broiler chickens (n = 12 birds). All broiler chickens were kept under the same environmental condition and had access to feed and water. Feather samples were assigned to one of the following processing methods 1) using a BB for pulverizing and 2) using a SS for chopping into tiny pieces. Each sample was duplicated into two wells during enzyme immunoassay (EIA) analysis to improve the accuracy of the obtained data. The results showed lower standard errors and constant output of FCC by using the BB method compared with the SS method. Overall comparison of FCC showed a significantly higher (p < 0.001) amount of the FCC in the BB compared with the SS. Overall, using the BB method is recommended over the SS method for feather processing due to the ability to homogenize a large number of samples simultaneously, ease of use and greater extraction of feather corticosterone.

Effect of advanced chelate technology based trace minerals on growth performance, mineral digestibility, tibia characteristics, and antioxidant status in broiler chickens

BackgroundCompared to the corresponding source of inorganic trace minerals (TM), chelated supplements are characterized by better physical heterogeneity and chemical stability and appear to be better absorbed in the gut due to possibly decreased interaction with other feed components.MethodsThis study was designed in broiler chickens to determine the effects of replacing inorganic trace minerals (TM) with an advanced chelate technology based supplement (Bonzachicken) on growth performance, mineral digestibility, tibia bone quality, and antioxidant status. A total of 625 male 1-day-old broiler chickens were allocated to 25 pens and assigned to 5 dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. Chelated TM (CTM) supplement was compared at 3 levels to no TM (NTM) or inorganic TM. A corn–soy-based control diet was supplemented with inorganic TM at the commercially recommended levels (ITM), i.e., iron, zinc, manganese, copper, selenium, iodine, and chromium at 80, 92, 100, 16, 0.3, 1.2, and 0.1 mg/kg, respectively, and varying concentration of CTM, i.e., match to 25, 50, and 100% of the ITM (diets CTM25, CTM50, and CTM100, respectively).ResultsDiets CTM50 and CTM100 increased average daily gain (ADG), European performance index (EPI), and tibia length compared to the NTM diet (P < 0.05). Broilers fed the CTM100 diet had lowest overall FCR and serum malondialdehyde level and highest EPI, tibia ash, zinc, manganese, and copper contents, and serum total antioxidant capacity (P < 0.05). The apparent ileal digestibilities of phosphorus and zinc were lower in the ITM group compared with the CTM25 and CTM50 groups (P < 0.05). Broiler chickens fed any of the diets, except diet CTM25, exhibited higher serum glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities than those fed the NTM diet, where the best glutathione peroxidase activity was found for CTM100 treatment (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThese results indicate that while CTM supplementation to 25 and 50% of the commercially recommended levels could support growth performance, bone mineralization, and antioxidant status, a totally replacing ITM by equivalent levels of CTM could also improve performance index and glutathione peroxidase activity of broiler chickens under the conditions of this study.

Feeding dihydroquercetin and vitamin E to broiler chickens reared at standard and high ambient temperatures

ABSTRACT The use of natural antioxidants, in particular polyphenols such as dihydroquercetin (DHQ), in animal nutrition has recently increased in popularity. This may partly be due to the risk of increased incidences of heat stress associated with raising livestock in warmer ambient temperatures, facilitated by global warming, reducing antioxidant capacity. The current research demonstrates the effect of dietary DHQ, vitaminEand standard or high ambient temperatures on growth performance, energy and nutrient metabolism, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) development, jejunal villus morphometry and antioxidant status in broiler chickens. Each of the four experimental diets was fed to 16 pens of five birds, which were allocated to four rooms (four pens in each room). The temperature in two rooms was maintained at aconstant 35°C (high temperature; HT), and the temperature in the other two rooms was gradually reduced from 27°C at 7 dof age to 22°C at 20 dof age (standard temperature; ST). Rearing birds at HT reduced feed intake, weight gain, weight of small intestine, total GIT, liver, spleen, heart, villus height, villus surface area and lowered blood glutationperoxidase (GSH-Px). Dietary DHQ increased blood GSH-Px and total antioxidant status, increased heart weight and reduced caecal size. When fed separately, DHQ and vitamin E improved hepatic vitamin E concentration. Feeding vitamin Eincreased spleen and liver weights. When fed together, DHQ and vitamin Ereduced villus height, villus height to crypt depth ratio and villus surface area. Temperature and antioxidants did not affect energy and nutrient metabolism. There were no effects of dietary antioxidants on growth performance of broiler chickens and there were no mortalities. At present, it is unclear if feeding antioxidants (in particular DHQ) at different levels, using different dietary formulations, and rearing birds under arange of environmental conditions may be effective at enhancing production performance and bird health in hot ambient climates.

Biologically upgraded cocoa pod husk: Effect on growth performance, haemato-biochemical indices and antioxidant status of broiler chickens

&#x0D; A 49 day feeding trial was conducted to determine the effect of biologically upgraded cocoa pod husk meal (BCPHM) on the growth performance, haemato-biochemical indices and antioxidant status of broiler chickens. Three experimental diets were formulated at both starter and finisher phases in which BCPHM was added as an active feed ingredient at 0, 10, 20% and designated as diets 1, 2 and 3 respectively. One hundred and fifty day old Marshal broiler chicks weighing 39±2.5g/bird were allotted to 3 dietary treatments (10birds/replicate, 50birds/treatment) in a completely randomized design. The Average daily weight gain (ADWG), total weight gain (TWG) and final body weight (FBW) of broiler chicks fed diets containing 10% BCPHM was significantly (p˂0.05) higher than that of control and diet containing 20% BCPHM at starter phase. At finisher phase, the values of ADWG, TWG and FBW were at par with that of control. Feed Intake was seen to increase as BCPHM increased in the diet at finisher phase. Carcass traits, relative internal organ weight, haemato-biochemcal indices of broiler chickens were similar across dietary treatment. Superoxide dimutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) of birds fed control diet were significantly (p˂0.05) higher than those of birds fed BCPHM based diets. Ten percent dietary inclusion of BCPHM appears optimal in broiler diet since beyond this level growth performance declined.&#x0D;

Hydroalcoholic extract of Withania somnifera leaf and α-tocopherol acetate in diets containing oxidised oil: effects on growth performance, immune response, and oxidative status in broiler chickens

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of hydroalcoholic leaf extract of Withania somnifera (WS) and α-tocopherol acetate (α-Toc) in the diets containing oxidised oil on the growth performance, immune response, and oxidative status in the broiler chickens. A 3-way factorial design (2 × 3 × 2) was applied consisting of the oxidised oil (0 and 2%), WS (0, 100 and 200 mg/kg diet), and α-Toc (0 and 200 mg/kg). In total, 600 one-day-old male broilers were randomly subjected to 12 treatments with 5 replicates (10 birds/replicate). Broilers were provided with feed and water ad libitum during the 42-day experimental period. On day 42, one bird per each replicate was killed to measure the lymphoid organ weights, intestinal morphometric parameters, and MDA content in the thigh meat. Dietary oxidised oil reduced the FI, and BWG (p < .05). In contrast, dietary WS at a concentration of 200 mg/kg alleviated the negative effects of the oxidised oil on the BWG. Birds fed with the dietary oxidised oil revealed lower titres of antibody against the SRBC (p < .05). Antibody titres were significantly increased by the supplementary WS (p < .05), except for IgG, and IgM during primary and secondary responses, respectively. Dietary supplementation of WS at the concentrations of 100 or 200 mg/kg resulted in a higher CBH response after 12 h (p < .01). Birds fed with the diet supplemented with WS exhibited significantly higher spleen weight than those fed with the non-WS-supplemented diets (p < .01). Dietary oxidised oil significantly increased the MDA content in thigh meat, and inversely reduced the activity of serum antioxidant enzymes (p < .05). Birds fed with the WS-supplemented diets showed significantly lower levels of MDA content in thigh meat, and conversely higher values of serum GPx and SOD activities (p < .05). The GPx activity values were significantly higher for the birds fed with the dietary α-Toc compared to those fed with the non- α-Toc-supplemented diets (p < .05). Our findings showed that the presence of WS in the broilers diets as an alternative to α-Toc could be a good approach to improve the performance, immune response, and meat oxidative stability under oxidative stress conditions. Highlights Dietary oxidised oil reduced the FI, and BWG, and the diets supplemented with WS leaf extract alleviated the deleterious effects of the oxidised oil on the BWG. Dietary WS revealed the immunostimulatory effects. The birds fed with the WS-supplemented diets showed a higher antibody titre against the SRBC. Dietary inclusion of WS in the broilers diets negated the negative effects of the oxidised oil by reducing the MDA content in thigh meat and increasing the activity of the antioxidant enzymes.

Serum electrolyte balance and antioxidant status of broiler chickens fed diets containing varied levels of monosodium glutamate (MSG)

BackgroundThe effects of dietary monosodium glutamate (MSG) on the serum electrolyte balance and antioxidant status of broiler chickens were assessed. In five replicates, a total of 300-day-old unsexed Abor–acre broilers were randomly allotted into six treatment groups containing varied levels of MSG at 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, and 1.25 g/kg diet, respectively. The experimental birds were fed ad libitum with clean water provided regularly for a period of 8 weeks. On the 56th day of the experiment, five birds per replicate were randomly selected and fasted overnight. Blood samples were collected from the wing veins for serum electrolytes analyses. Serum electrolytes such as sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), and chloride (Cl−) as well as oxidative stress indicators assay such as total antioxidant capacity (T-OAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were determined using standard procedures. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance at α = 0.05.ResultsThe results revealed that MSG inclusion above 0.75 g/kg diet significantly (P < 0.05) increased the serum Na+ and K+ concentrations of the broiler chickens when compared with birds on the control diet, whereas the serum Cl− concentration significantly (P < 0.05) decreased from 0.50 g MSG/kg diet inclusion level. On the other hand, MSG inclusion level above 0.50 g/kg diet increased the serum MDA concentration (from 2.60 ± 0.01 to 4.60 ± 0.00) of the birds while serum GSH-Px and T-AOC concentrations significantly (P < 0.05) reduced from 170 ± 0.28 to 120 ± 0.26 and 3.30 ± 0.01 to 1.70 ± 0.01, respectively.ConclusionInclusion level above 0.50 g/kg diet could adversely offset normal physiological processes in broilers by predisposing them to renal dysfunction, coronary problem, and oxidative stress.

Polyethylene glycol inactivates red grape pomace condensed tannins for broiler chickens

ABSTRACT 1. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of inactivating GP condensed tannins using graded levels of polyethylene glycol (PEG) on feed intake, physiological, carcase, and meat quality traits of male Cobb 500 broilers. 2. Three hundred, two-week old, male Cobb 500 broilers (334.6 ± 21.43 g live weight) were allocated to 30 pens carrying 10 birds each. Five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated for grower (14–35 d) and finisher (36–42 d) phases by diluting a commercial broiler diet with untreated GP (PEG0) at 6.5% (w/w) or with the same amount of GP but pre-treated with PEG at 2.5% (PEG1), 5% (PEG2), 10% (PEG3) or 15% (w/w) (PEG4) and randomly allocated to pens in a four-week feeding period. 3. Feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion efficiency (FCE), and blood, carcase and meat quality parameters were determined. Weekly weight gain and FCE linearly (P < 0.05) increased in week 4 and linearly (P < 0.05) decreased in week 6 in response to PEG treatment levels. 4. Mean corpuscular volume linearly (P < 0.05) decreased in response to PEG levels, whereas blood urea nitrogen/creatinine ratio, urea, total protein, globulin and cholesterol showed quadratic trends in response to PEG levels. Spleen and ileum weights tended (P < 0.1) to linearly decrease with PEG levels. Heart weight and meat redness tended (P < 0.1) to quadratically respond to increasing levels of PEG. 5. It was concluded that PEG treatment partially inactivated GP condensed tannins without compromising the health status of broiler chickens. An optimum PEG inclusion level could not be determined for feed intake, weight gain and FCE. However, the presence of other antinutrients such as fibre and low molecular weight phenolics in GP may be responsible for the linear decreases observed in this study.

Effect of feeding diet with alternate protein sources and quality protein maize on performance and nutrient utilization in broiler chickens.

The experiment was conducted to study the effect of feeding diets with quality protein maize (QPM) along with cottonseed meal (CSM) and guar meal (GM) on nutrient utilization, body weight (BW) gain (BWG), feed efficiency, and antioxidant status in broiler chickens. The biological trial was conducted on day-old broiler chicks (n = 240), which were randomly distributed into 6 dietary groups having 8 replicates with 5 chicks. Six experimental diets were formulated to contain maize (diet I), QPM (diet II), maize+CSM80g/kg + GM40g/kg (diet III), maize + CSM120g/kg + GM60g/kg (diet IV), QPM+CSM80g/kg + GM40g/kg (diet V), and QPM+CSM120g/kg + GM60g/kg (diet VI). The BWG and feed intake were recorded at weekly intervals. Supplementation of CSM and GM along with QPM or maize depressed (P < 0.05) BWG, feed conversion ratio, and slaughter variables in commercial broilers. Improvement of BWG and breast weight was recorded among the groups supplemented 80g/kg CSM and 40g/kg GM with a QPM-based diet compared with those groups fed 120g/kg CSM and 60g/kg GM with maize or QPM. The energy and protein utilization decreased among the groups supplemented CSM and GM. However, protein and energy utilization was increased (P < 0.05) among the groups fed QPM-based diets compared with those groups fed CSM and GM with maize or QPM. Therefore, it has been concluded that the performance and other parameters did not differ between the groups fed maize- and QPM-based diets in the present experiment. However, QPM with CSM and GM improved the performance, slaughter parameters, and nutrient utilization over CSM and GM with maize.

Effects of Immune Modulators on the Immune Status of Broiler Chickens

Effects of Immune Modulators on the Immune Status of Broiler Chickens

Ameliorative Effect of Dietary Acetylsalicylic Acid and Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation on Growth and Health Status of broiler chicks exposed to heat-stress

The present study aimed to explain the role of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and sodium bicarbonate (SB) in alleviation of the negative effect of heat stress on growth performance, some serum biochemical changes and hematology of broiler chicken reared under heat-stress (33-35◦C). One hundred and twenty, 15-day-old apparently healthy broiler chickens were selected and randomly assigned into 4 groups fed on a basal diet without any supplement (control) or supplemented by 0.05% ASA, 0.5% SB or both 0.05% ASA and 0.5% SB respectively. The results explained that dietary supplementation of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), sodium bicarbonate (SB) or combination of ASA and SB significantly (P˂0.05) increased final body weight and total gain of broiler chicks reared under heat stress by about (2.8% and 3.9%), (2.6% and 3.6%) and (8.8% and 6.8%) respectively, moreover, had no effect on total feed intake and non-significantly (P≥0.05) improved average FCR throughout whole experimental period by about 1.4%, 2.4% and 4. 2% respectively compared with control. All treatment reduced serum ALT, AST and alkaline phosphatase activities and serum total protein, albumin, sodium and chloride concentrations compared with control. Results concerning the effect of ASA, SB supplementation in broiler chicken ration reared under heat stress alone or combined together non significantly increased Hb%, RBCs counts, platelets count and WBCs count compared with control. Moreover, all treatments had no significant effect on basophils%, eosinophil% and monocytes%, while decreased heterophils% and increased lymophocytes% compared with control. It could be concluded that dietary inclusion of acetylsalicylic acid and sodium bicarbonate separately or in a combination in broiler ration can be used to alleviate the negative effect of heat stress in broiler chicken performance, liver heath and hematology during summer season in Egypt.

128 Additional dietary DL-methionine affects tissue redox and inflammation status of broiler chicks in response to high stocking density

Abstract We determined if 30% extra supplemental DL-methionine affected oxidative and inflammatory responses of broilers stocked at a high density. A total of 560 day-old male Cornish cockerel chicks were divided into 4 groups: 2 stocking densities (2.9 and 3.8 kg/ft2) and 2 methionine supplementations (grower: 2.90 or 3.77 g/kg and finisher: 2.60 or 3.38 g/kg). Chicks were fed the same corn-soy starter diet and then respective experimental diets (grower: 6.4 g SAA/kg, finisher: 5.9 g SAA/kg, n = 10 pens/treatment). Blood and tissues (3 chicks/pen) were sampled at the end of each period. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA. The high density elevated (P &amp;lt; 0.05) glutathione concentration in the plasma, breast, and thigh of growers, but decreased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) it in the liver of growers and thigh of finishers. The high methionine elevated (P &amp;lt; 0.05) glutathione concentration in the thigh at both ages. There were interactions (P &amp;lt; 0.05) between dietary methionine and stocking density on activities of antioxidant enzymes including GST in 2 or more tissues at both ages and GPX and SOD in the thigh of growers. Hepatic expression of inflammation-related gene IL-6 was decreased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) by the high density, while heat shock protein genes HSP70 and HSP90 were decreased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) by the high methionine. Expression of stress-related genes TNFα and JNK was decreased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) by a combined high methionine and density treatment. The high methionine decreased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) finisher thigh and breast malondialdehyde concentrations and grower plasma glucose concentrations. Neither the density nor the methionine supplementation affected concentrations of plasma ferric reducing ability, serum amyloid A, and corticosterone or hepatic protein carbonyl. In conclusion, the high stocking density showed bilateral effects on the redox and inflammatory responses of broilers. Supplemental extra methionine modulated some of those effects.

125 Supplementing extra dietary DL-methionine mitigates effects of higher stocking density on growth performance, meat quality, and health status of broiler chicks

Abstract This study was to determine if 30% extra supplemental DL-methionine could improve growth performance, meat quality, and health status of broilers stocked at a high density. A total of 560 day-old male Cornish cockerel chicks were divided into 4 treatment groups: 2 stocking densities (2.9 and 3.8 kg/ft2) and 2 supplementations of DL-methionine (grower: 2.90 or 3.77 g/kg and finisher: 2.60 or 3.38 g/kg). Chicks were fed the same corn-soybean meal-based starter diet and then experimental diets (grower: 6.4 g SAA/kg, finisher: 5.9 g SAA/kg, n = 10 pens/treatment). Growth performance and mortality were recorded, and blood and tissue samples (3 chicks/pen) were collected at the end of each period. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA. High stocking density decreased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) BW and (or) ADG of growers and finishers. Both high stocking density and methionine decreased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) ADFI and the high methionine improved (P &amp;lt; 0.05) feed use efficiency of chicks during the grower-finisher period. Neither treatment affected feather coverage, mortality, incidences of diseases, or dressing percentage. The high methionine improved (P &amp;lt; 0.05) meat to bone ratio of thigh, and exerted mixed effects (P &amp;lt; 0.05) on texture of breast and thigh. Dietary methionine and stocking density showed no major effects on tissue lipid profiles, but moderate effects (P &amp;lt; 0.05) on plasma concentrations of total cholesterol and(or) triglycerides of chicks. Fatty acid profiles in the liver and breast of chicks were unaffected by either treatment. The two treatments enhanced (P &amp;lt; 0.05) tibial maximum breaking strength (15–20%) and plasma alkaline phosphatase activity of growers. In conclusion, the high stocking density affected growth performance, meat quality, and health status of broilers. Supplementing 30% extra dietary methionine seemed to mitigate some of those effects. (Supported in part by Evonik Nutrition &amp; Care GmbH, Germany)

Effect of dietary supplementation of prebiotic on growth performance, immune response and intestinal microbial load in broiler chickens

The experiment was conducted to study the effect of using prebiotic (mannan oligosachharide -MOS) in place of antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) on performance, immune response and intestinal microbial load in broiler chickens. Day-old broiler chicks (192) were randomly distributed into 20 groups each of 8 chicks (4 treatments × 6 replicates). Four experimental diets T1, T2, T3 and T4 were formulated to contain no additive, bacitracin methylene di-salicylate (BMD) at 20 mg/kg diet, MOS at 0.1 and 0.2%, respectively. Body weight gain (g) was increased by the feeding of diets containing 0.2% levels of MOS, but feed intake (g), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and mortality (%) did not differ significantly. Antibody (28 d), titres were significantly higher after feeding 0.1 or 0.2% MOS and antibiotic (T2) supplemented group. During d 35, the response to intra-dermally injected phyto-hemagglutinin, an index of the in vivo cell-mediated immune response, was increased in the 0.2% MOS supplemented group. Significant reduction was observed in coliforms and total plate count in cecal (28 and 42 d) and excreta (42 d) in MOS (0.1 or 0.2%) or antibiotic (T2) supplemented groups. Lactobacillus count significantly increased in cecal (28 and 42 d) and excreta (42 d) in MOS @0.1 or 0.2% supplemented groups. Thus, it can be concluded that, 0.2% MOS with basal diet has a beneficial effect for growth performance, immune response and gut health status in broiler chickens, and MOS could be a good alternative to antibiotic growth promoter.

Effect of dietary tryptophan supplementation on growth performance, immune response and anti-oxidant status of broiler chickens from 7 to 21 days.

BackgroundThis study was conducted to investigate the optimum dietary level of tryptophan (Trp) supplementation at which broiler chickens have better growth with efficient immune system and anti‐oxidant status.MethodOne hundred and twenty (n = 120) 1‐day‐old broiler chicks were fed a common commercial diet from days 1 to 7. On day 7, the chicks were randomly divided in three treatment groups, that is, Trp 0.2 [national research council (NRC) recommended level of tryptophan], Trp 0.3 (tryptophan supplemented at 0.3%) and Trp 0.5 (tryptophan supplemented at 0.5%). All the experimental diets were iso‐caloric (ME; 3,000 kcal/kg) and iso‐proteic (CP; 18.5%). Weekly data on feed intake and body weight gain (BWG) were recorded to calculate feed conversion ratio (FCR). On day 19, avian tuberculin was injected to note the cellular immunity. On day 21, two birds per replicate were killed to determine carcass and visceral organ weights. Blood serum samples were collected for analysis of humoral immune response against sheep red blood cells, total oxidant and anti‐oxidants by spectrophotometric method.ResultsFeed intake, carcass and visceral organ weights remained unaffected by dietary treatments while BWG and FCR tended to improve (p < .05) in broiler chicks fed the Trp 0.3 and the Trp 0.5 diets. Total oxidant status was also improved (p < .05) in broiler chicks fed the Trp 0.5 diet. Likewise, broiler chicks fed the Trp 0.3 and the Trp 0.5 diets tended to have better (p < .05) total anti‐oxidant status, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and arylesterase (ARE). The overall antibodies response and IgG improved (p < .05) by the Trp 0.3 and Trp 0.5 diets compared to control. However, IgM level remained similar across the treatment. The cellular immunity against avian tuberculin improved at 24 hr post‐injection but its effect disappeared at 48 hr.ConclusionThe results of present study revealed that Trp above the NRC recommended level may give better growth, immune response and anti‐oxidant status in broiler chickens.