scholarly journals Effect of extruded full-fat soybeans on performance, amino acids digestibility, trypsin activity, and intestinal morphology in broilers

2013 ◽  
Vol 58 (No. 10) ◽  
pp. 470-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Foltyn ◽  
V. Rada ◽  
M. Lichovníková ◽  
I. Šafařík ◽  
A. Lohniský ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Trypsin Activity ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Isoleucine Leucine ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Dietary Treatments ◽  
Different Levels

The influence of different levels of extruded full-fat soybean (EFFSB) in the diet on growth performance, apparent ileal amino acids digestibility (AIAAD), intestinal morphology, and trypsin activity in digesta of broilers was determined. In the first experiment, two-hundred sixty ROSS 308 male chickens were used to investigate the effect of EFFSB on growth performance, intestinal morphology, and trypsin activity in the digesta and AIAAD. Five dietary treatments were used, containing 0, 40, 80, 120, and 160 g/kg of EFFSB. The experiment lasted from day 10 till day 38 of age. The inclusion of EFFSB at the level of 160 g/kg in the diet significantly (P < 0.05) decreased final body weight (2443 g in 0 group vs. 2093 in 160 group) and worsened feed efficiency. AIAAD was lower when diet contained more than 40 g/kg EFFSB. But at the level of 160 g/kg AIAAD increased in several amino acids (threonine, isoleucine, leucine, histidine). Trypsin activity increased with increasing EFFSB in the diets. There were no significant (P > 0.05) differences in AIAAD between groups 80, 120, and 160. Villus height (groups 0: 966.2; 4: 852.1; 8: 792.6; 12: 836.3; 16: 926.7 µm) and crypt depth (groups 0: 160.1; 4: 134.8; 8: 122.9; 12: 129.5; 16: 134.6 µm) of ileum decreased with inclusion of EFFSB in the diet, but villi/crypt ratio increased. In the second experiment, male chickens ROSS 308 were divided into 4 groups with 2 replicates per 100 chicks each. The groups were fed 0, 40, 80, and 120 g/kg of EFFSB. The experiment lasted from day 10 till day 38 of age. Final body weight (2594 g in 0 group vs. 2624 g in 120 group) was not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by the diet. The study showed that EFFSB at the level of 120 g/kg in grower broiler diet had no adverse effect on performance.  

scholarly journals Effects of Dietary Ginsenoside Rg1 Supplementation on Growth Performance, Gut Health, and Serum Immunity in Broiler Chickens

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zehe Song ◽  
Kaihuan Xie ◽  
Yunlu Zhang ◽  
Qian Xie ◽  
Xi He ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Ginsenoside Rg1 ◽  
Gut Health ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Crypt Depth

The restriction and banning of antibiotics in farm animal feed has led to a search for promising substitutes for antibiotics to promote growth and maintain health for livestock and poultry. Ginsenoside Rg1, which is one of the most effective bioactive components in ginseng, has been reported to have great potential to improve the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative status of animals. In this study, 360 Chinese indigenous broiler chickens with close initial body weight were divided into 5 groups. Each group contained 6 replicates and each replicate had 12 birds. The experimental groups were: the control group, fed with the basal diet; the antibiotic group, fed basal diet + 300 mg/kg 15% chlortetracycline; and three Rg1 supplementation groups, fed with basal diet + 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg ginsenoside Rg1, respectively. The growth performance, immune function, and intestinal health of birds were examined at early (day 1–28) and late (day 29–51) stages. Our results showed that dietary supplementation of 300 mg/kg ginsenoside Rg1 significantly improved the growth performance for broilers, particularly at the late stage, including an increase in final body weight and decrease of feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05). Additionally, the integrity of intestinal morphology (Villus height, Crypt depth, and Villus height/Crypt depth) and tight junction (ZO-1 and Occludin), and the secretion of sIgA in the intestine were enhanced by the supplementation of Rg1 in chicken diet (P < 0.05). The immune organ index showed that the weight of the thymus, spleen, and bursa was significantly increased at the early stage in ginsenoside Rg1 supplementation groups (P < 0.05). Our findings might demonstrate that ginsenoside Rg1 could serve as a promising antibiotic alternative to improve the growth performance and gut health for broiler chickens mainly through its amelioration of inflammatory and oxidative activities.

Effects of dietary rosemary extract supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology and microbiota of weaning pigs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mei Yang ◽  
Yexin Yin ◽  
Fang Wang ◽  
Xuetai Bao ◽  
Lina Long ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Crypt Depth

Abstract Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) extract (RE) has multiple pharmacological and biological activities, including use as a food additive and medicine. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary RE supplementation on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology and microbiota of weaning piglets. A total of 192 crossbred weaned piglets [Duroc × (Large White × Landrace)] (initial body weight = 6.65 ± 0.33 kg, weaned days = 23 ± 1 d) were group housed (six pigs per pen; n = 8 pens/treatment). Pigs were fed a corn-soybean meal-based control diet or the basal diet supplemented with 100, 200 or 400 mg/kg RE. Pigs were allowed ad libitum access to fed for 21-d. The growth performance and apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients, and intestinal morphology and antioxidant status were evaluated. The components of the microbial microflora were also determined in the cecal samples. Compared with the control, dietary supplementation with RE increased the final body weight, average daily gain and average daily feed intake (linear, P = 0.038, 0.016, and 0.009, respectively), and decreased the diarrhea ratio in piglets (linear, P < 0.05). The digestibility of crude protein (linear, P = 0.034) and gross energy (linear, P = 0.046) increased with treatment with RE. Piglets fed RE showed longer villus height (linear, P = 0.037 and 0.028, respectively) and villus height/crypt depth (linear, P = 0.004 and 0.012; quadratic, P = 0.023 and 0.036, respectively) in the jejunum and ileum, in addition to a lesser crypt depth in the jejunum (linear, P = 0.019) and ileum (quadratic, P = 0.042). The addition of RE increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (linear, P = 0.035 and 0.008 respectively) and glutathione peroxidase activity (linear, P = 0.027 and 0.039 respectively), and decreased the content of malondialdehyde (linear, P = 0.041 and 0.013; quadratic, P = 0.023 and 0.005 respectively) in the serum and liver. Dietary RE supplementation, compared with the control, increased the number of Bifidobacterium (linear, P = 0.034) and Bacteroidetes (linear, P = 0.029), while decreased Escherichia coli (linear, P = 0.008; quadratic, P = 0.014) in the cecal contents. Thus, dietary RE supplementation can improve growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology and the microbiota in weaned piglets, and 200 mg/kg may be considered the optimum dosage.

scholarly journals Effects of Dietary β-Mannanase Supplementation on Growth Performance, Apparent Total Tract Digestibility, Intestinal Integrity, and Immune Responses in Weaning Pigs

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 703
Author(s):  
Jae-Cheol Jang ◽  
Kwang Kim ◽  
Young Jang ◽  
Yoo Kim
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Crypt Depth ◽  
Intestinal Integrity ◽  
Weaning Pigs ◽  
Dietary Treatments ◽  
And Oxidative Stress

The experiment aimed to investigate the effects of dietary β-mannanase supplementation on growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, intestinal integrity, and the immunological and oxidative stress parameters in weaning pigs. A total of 64 newly weaning pigs (initial body weight: 6.96 ± 0.70 kg) were allotted to two dietary treatments in eight replicates per treatment with four pigs per pen based on body weight and sex. Dietary treatments were 1.) CON (control: corn-soybean meal based basal diet) and 2.) β-mannanase (basal diet +0.06% β-mannanase). The β-mannanase supplementation did not affect growth performance, concentrations of acute phase protein, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. However, the pigs fed the β-mannanase-supplemented diet had greater ATTD of ether extract, jejunum villus height, and villus height-to-crypt depth ratio, and lower crypt depth compared with those fed the CON diet (p < 0.05). The pigs fed the β-mannanase-supplemented diet tended to have the lower count of E. coli in cecum than those fed the CON diet (p = 0.08). In conclusion, dietary β-mannanase supplementation did not affect growth performance, immune response and oxidative stress of weaning pigs, whereas it increased fat digestibility and had positive effects on intestinal integrity and cecum microflora by reducing the count of E.coli.

Effects of graded levels of xylo-oligosaccharides on growth performance, serum parameters, intestinal morphology and intestinal barrier function in weaned piglets

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuxia Chen ◽  
Yining Xie ◽  
Ruqing Zhong ◽  
Hui Han ◽  
Lei Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Intestinal Barrier ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Intestinal Barrier Function ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Small Intestinal ◽  
Dietary Treatments ◽  
Mrna Expression Levels

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) supplementation on growth performance, serum parameters, small intestinal morphology, intestinal mucosal integrity, and immune function in weaned piglets. A total of 240 weaned piglets with an average body weight (BW) of 8.82 ± 0.05 kg (28 d of age) were assigned randomly to 4 dietary treatments in a 28-d trial, including a control diet (CON), 3 diets with XOS supplementation at the concentration of 100, 500 and 1000 mg/kg (XOS100, XOS500, and XOS1000). There were 4 replicates per treatment with 15 pigs per pen. From d 1 to 14, there were no differences (P &gt; 0.05) in average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain to feed ratio (G:F) during the different treatments. The different doses of XOS showed a quadratic effect on BW on d 28, ADG and G:F d 1-28 of piglets (P &lt; 0.05). From d 15 to 28, ADG of pigs fed the XOS500 diet was higher (P &lt; 0.05) than pigs fed the CON diet. During the overall period (d 1 to 28), pigs fed the XOS500 diet had a higher BW, ADG and G:F than pigs fed the CON diet (P &lt; 0.05). In addition, compared with the CON group, the XOS500 group had significantly higher serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and catalase (CAT) levels and lower malondialdehyde (MDA) levels on d 14 and 28 (P &lt; 0.05). The serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration in the XOS500 group was also significantly higher compared with the CON group on d 14 and 28 (P &lt;0.05). However, serum immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) were not affected by the dietary treatments. Supplementation of XOS500 to the feed significantly increased the villus height (VH) and villus height to crypt depth ratio (VH:CD) in the jejunum and ileum in comparison with the CON and XOS1000 group. Moreover, the XOS500 group significantly elevated the expression levels of Occludin and zonula occludens protein-1 (ZO-1) in the ileum compared to the CON group. The ileal interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8 and interferon (IFN)-γ mRNA expression levels in the XOS100 and XOS500 group were markedly lower than in the CON group. In contrast, the ileal IL-10 mRNA expression levels were remarkably higher in the XOS500 than CON group. In conclusion, xylo-oligosaccharides have a beneficial effect on growth performance by improving serum antioxidant defense system, serum IgG, small intestinal structure and intestinal barrier function in weaned piglets.

scholarly journals Influence of Different Levels of Ground Oak (Quercus Aegilops) Acorns on Growth Performance and Some Carcass Characteristics of Awassi Lambs

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 58-61
Author(s):  
Hoger M. Hidayet ◽  
Kamal N. Mustafa
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Muscle Area ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
Live Body Weight ◽  
Dietary Treatments ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
Awassi Lambs

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of feeding different levels of oak acorns on growth and some carcass characteristics of Awassi lambs. Twenty lambs were blocked into four groups (5 lambs/ group) according to live body weight and fed on one of the experimental diets (0, 5, 10 and 15% oak acorns). The results showed no effect of dietary treatments on live body weight throughout the period of study, also there were no effects of treatments on carcass traits except for rib-eye muscle area which was largest in the group fed on 5% acorns. It could be concluded that feeding Awassi lambs on ground oak acorns has no adverse effects on growth performance and health condition.

scholarly journals Effects of Supplementation of Branches and Leaves Trimmed from Tea Plant on Growth Performance, Rumen Fermentation and Meat Composition of Nanjiang Yellow Goats

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 590
Author(s):  
Ali Mujtaba Shah ◽  
Yimin Cai ◽  
Huawei Zou ◽  
Xiangfei Zhang ◽  
Lizhi Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Rumen Fermentation ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Quadratic Effect ◽  
Crypt Depth ◽  
Meat Composition

Thirty-two 6-month-old, healthy Nanjiang Yellow goats (34.6 ± 4.16 kg) were randomly divided into four treatments to evaluate the supplementary effects of branches and leaves trimmed from tea tree (BLTT) on growth performance, rumen fermentation characteristics, and meat composition in fattening goats. The control goats were fed a basal diet. Treatments 1, 2 and 3 were fed 2%, 4% and 6% of BLTT respectively. After a 60 d feeding trial, blood samples were collected for the analysis of the antioxidant profile and goats were slaughtered to obtain the rumen fluid and carcass samples for determination of rumen fermentation characteristics and meat composition perameters. Increased final body weight was observed in goats fed 4% BLTT compared with control. The activity of superoxide dismutase was increased in the 4% BLTT-treated group, while glutathione peroxidase and malondialdehyde followed the quadratic curve. Quadratic curves were also observed for villus height, crypt depth and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth in the jejunum. The quadratic effect was obtained for total essential amino acids, and individual amino acids threonine and leucine. The saturated fatty acid C16:0 was decreased with 4% of BLTT supplementation, and a quadratic effect was observed for polyunsaturated fatty acid C18:3 (n−3). To sum up, our findings revealed that BLTT supplementation has a positive effect on body antioxidative status, gastrointestinal development, rumen fermentation characteristics and overall growth performance and meat quality in goats.

scholarly journals Algae-Derived Polysaccharides Promote Growth Performance by Improving Antioxidant Capacity and Intestinal Barrier Function in Broiler Chickens

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen-Chao Liu ◽  
Yan Guo ◽  
Zhi-Hui Zhao ◽  
Rajesh Jha ◽  
Balamuralikrishnan Balasubramanian
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Intestinal Barrier Function ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Gut Health ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Final Body Weight

This study aimed to determine the efficacy of dietary algae-derived polysaccharides (ADPs) from Enteromorpha on growth performance, intestinal morphology, intestinal permeability, and antioxidant capacity in serum, liver, and intestinal mucosa of broilers. Three hundred and ninety six day-old male chicks were randomly assigned to six dietary treatments containing 0 (Control), 1,000, 2,500, 4,000, 5,500, and 7,000 mg ADP/kg basal diet in a 35 day feeding trial. During day 1–21, compared with the control group, dietary 1,000–7,000 mg/kg ADP supplementation improved the average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (p &lt; 0.05). Overall (day 1–35), dietary inclusion of 1,000 mg/kg ADP increased the final body weight and ADG (p &lt; 0.05). Besides, on day 21, dietary 2,500 mg/kg ADP supplementation increased the serum catalase (CAT) and liver total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activities (p &lt; 0.05), whereas dietary 1,000–5,500 mg/kg ADP supplementation decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in serum and liver (p &lt; 0.05). On day 35, supplementation of 1,000 mg/kg ADP increased the serum glutathione peroxidase and CAT activities and liver T-SOD activities (p &lt; 0.05). It decreased the MDA level of serum and liver (p &lt; 0.05). Also, dietary 2,500 mg/kg ADP increased the villus height of jejunum and ileum on day 21 (p &lt; 0.05), and dietary 4,000 mg/kg ADP increased the villus height of duodenum and ileum on day 35 (p &lt; 0.05). On day 21, dietary 4,000 mg/kg ADP increased the CAT activities of the duodenum and T-SOD activities of jejunum and ileum and decreased the MDA contents in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum (p &lt; 0.05). On day 35, dietary inclusion of 1,000–7,000 mg/kg ADP reduced MDA contents of duodenum and jejunum (p &lt; 0.05). Furthermore, dietary inclusion of ADP at 1,000–7,000 mg/kg decreased serum DAO activities at day 21 and day 35 (p &lt; 0.05), and the serum D-lactic acid concentration was reduced by dietary supplementation of 1,000, 2,500, and 7,000 mg/kg ADP on day 21. In conclusion, dietary ADP exerted beneficial effects on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and gut health in broilers; based on the studied parameters, the appropriate recommended dose is 1,000–4,000 mg/kg. These findings provided new insights into the potential application of ADP as natural growth promoters in broilers.

scholarly journals The effect of synthetic essential amino acids supplementation to low crude protein diets on growth performance and serum metabolites in broiler chickens

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 24-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Elshafey ◽  
Abeer Aziza ◽  
, Abdelhady Orma ◽  
Tarek Mohamed
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Relative Weight ◽  
Essential Amino Acids ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Broiler Chicks ◽  
Final Body Weight

Objective: To assess the influence of reduction of crude protein (CP) by 5% and 10% with supplementation of crystalline synthetic essential amino acids (EAAs) on performance and carcass traits of broilers. Design: Randomized controlled study Animals: A total of 320 one-day-old broiler chicks, (Cobb 500) reared up to 35 days of age were randomly allocated into eight experimental groups with four replicates (10 each). Procedures: The treatments as follow; the first group of chicks were fed on control protein to meet the CP requirement and total AAs according to Cobb 500 recommendation; the second group were fed idle EAAs (Id EAAs) to meet the recommended CP and the digestible EAAs. The third, fourth, and fifth groups were fed on diet 5% reduction of CP with EAAs supplementation exceed the digestible EAAs requirement of Cobb by 110, 120, and 130% (LCP3+110EAAs, LCP4+120EAAs, LCP5+130EAAs). However, the sixth, seventh, eighth groups of chicks were fed on diet 10% reduction of CP with AAs supplementation exceed the digestible EAAs requirement of Cobb by 110, 120, and 130% (LCP6+110EAAs, LCP7+120EAAs, LCP8+130EAAs). Results: Broilers of group four, five, six, seven and eight showed a significant decrease final body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake at 21 and 35 days of age. However, the same variables were significantly enhanced in broilers of group one, two, and three (p <0.05). Additionally, there was a significant decrease of relative weight of abdominal fat pad of broilers in groups three, four, five compared to other treatment groups. Serum uric acid and cholesterol were linearly decreased with reduction of CP and supplementation with synthetic essential amino acids. Conclusion and clinical relevance: The present results indicate that reduction of CP by 5% or 10% with crystalline EAAs supplementation by 110, 120 and 130% more than the digestible EAAs of broiler recommendation did not support the growth performance.

scholarly journals PSIX-8 Effects of an algae-clay complex-based feed additive and diet formulation regimen on finishing pig growth performance and carcass characteristics

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 185-186
Author(s):  
Hadley Williams ◽  
Leandro Del Tuffo ◽  
Jason C Woodworth ◽  
Joel M DeRouchey ◽  
Steve S Dritz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Feed Additive ◽  
Net Energy ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Distillers Grains With Solubles ◽  
Diet Formulation ◽  
Finishing Pig ◽  
Dietary Treatments

Abstract This study evaluated the effect of an algae-clay-complex-based feed additive (ACC, Olmix Group, Brehan, France) and diet formulation regimen on growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing pigs. A total of 1,188 pigs (PIC 337×1050, initially 49.5 kg) were used in a 90-day study. There were 27 pigs per pen and 11 replications per treatment. Dietary treatments were arranged in a 2×2 factorial with main effects of ACC (none or 0.10% until 100 kg body weight and 0.05% thereafter) and dietary formulation regimen (High vs Low). High diets were formulated to maximize growth with added fat and no dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS). Low diets were formulated to contain approximately 150 kcal/kg less net energy (NE), 30% DDGS, no added fat, and were formulated 0.10% below the standardized ileal digestible (SID) lys requirement based on the SID Lys:NE ratio as estimated in the High diets. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. There were no ACC × formulation interactions (P &gt;0.220) for growth or carcass characteristics. Overall, ADG was greater (P=0.027) for pigs fed diets with ACC compared with those fed diets without ACC with no change in ADFI or G:F (P &gt;0.180). This was a result of late finishing (d 56 to 90) ADG and G:F increase (P&lt; 0.019) for pigs fed diets with ACC compared with those fed no ACC. Also, pigs fed High diets had improved (P&lt; 0.047) ADG, ADFI, G:F and final body weight compared to pigs fed Low diets. For carcass characteristics, pigs fed High diets tended to have greater (P=0.067) loin depth and had greater (P&lt; 0.001) carcass weight than pigs fed low diets with no evidence for differences between the control and pigs fed ACC (P &gt;0.05). The addition of ACC resulted in improved ADG and G:F in late finishing, but did not affect carcass characteristics.

scholarly journals Supplemental Impact of Marine Red Seaweed (Halymenia palmata) on the Growth Performance, Total Tract Nutrient Digestibility, Blood Profiles, Intestine Histomorphology, Meat Quality, Fecal Gas Emission, and Microbial Counts in Broilers

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1244
Author(s):  
Balamuralikrishnan Balasubramanian ◽  
Sureshkumar Shanmugam ◽  
Sungkwon Park ◽  
Neeraja Recharla ◽  
Jin Su Koo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Meat Quality ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Red Seaweed ◽  
Gas Emission ◽  
Dietary Treatments

The present study was conducted to evaluate the dietary effects of a marine red seaweed, Palmaria palmata, on the growth performance, blood profile, nutrient digestibility, meat quality, fecal gas emission, microbial population, and intestinal morphology of broilers. A total of 720 Ross 308 broiler chicks (1 day old), with an average body weight of 45 ± 0.50 g, were assigned to one of five dietary treatments (randomized complete block design) in a 42-day feeding trial. The five dietary treatments consisted of a basal diet (0% supplementation; control), and diets supplemented with 0.05%, 0.01%, 0.15%, or 0.25% red seaweed. Eight replicates were prepared per treatment, with each replicate consisting of 18 chicks in a cage. The results showed that there tended to be a greater increase in body weight in the seaweed-supplemented groups from day (d) 14 to 28 (p = 0.087) and d 28 to 42 (p = 0.082) compared to the control group, regardless of feed intake. Feed intake in the seaweed-supplemented groups increased linearly from d 14 to 28. A linear relationship between seaweed supplementation and the feed conversion ratio was observed from d 14 to 28 and throughout the whole experiment. The dietary inclusion of seaweed was linearly related to levels of albumin, creatinine, uric acid, and white blood cells in the broilers. Additionally, the total tract digestibility of dry matter increased linearly with an increase in seaweed supplementation. The dietary inclusion of seaweed had a beneficial effect on fecal microbes as Lactobacillus sp. counts increased and Escherichia coli and Salmonella sp. counts decreased on day 42. Histopathological examination of the intestine confirmed that seaweed dietary supplementation enhanced the heights and widths of the villi. Furthermore, the emission of fecal gases (NH3 and H2S) decreased linearly in broilers fed seaweed-supplemented diets. Dietary supplementation with seaweed led to improvements in meat quality traits, such as reductions in drip loss, water holding capacity, and cooking loss, as well as increases in relative organ weights. Based on these positive effects, dietary supplementation with seaweed in broilers can be considered a dietary option in poultry production.

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