Effect of herbal feed additives on performance parameters, intestinal microbiota, intestinal morphology and meat lipid oxidation of broiler chickens

Abstract BackgroundThe use of newly harvested corn in feed causes wet droppings in broilers and increased feed cost which was termed as “new season grain problem”. The present study was conducted to evaluate the proteomic profile of newly harvested corn and the subsequent influence on intestinal microbiol community for broiler chickens. MethodsNewly harvested corn stored for either half a month (HM) or two months (TM) was used, and the pasting properties, total soluble sugars, and proteomic analysis technology was used to explore the influence of storage on natural aging corn properties. Additionally, seventy-two 7d Ross 308 male broiler chicken were fed with different stored corn. Apparent metabolizable energy (AME), digesta viscosity, intestinal morphology and microbiota were examined to explore the influence of feed corn storage on broiler chickens. ResultsPasting properties in the TM corn exhibited decreased viscoelastic properties. Proteomic studies found a total of 26 proteins that were differentially expressed between the two treatment groups. Proteins involved in starch and polysaccharides biosynthesis were upregulated in TM compared with HM. Chickens fed on TM diet had higher relative energy utilization compared to the HM birds. With increased corn storage, the relative digesta viscosity decreased significantly (P≤0.05). The total number of goblet cells and lymphocytes was lower in chickens fed the TM diet. The microbiota data showed that the TM chickens had decreased abundance of diarrheal bacteria such as Hungatella hathewayi and Bacteroides fragilis, and increased butyrate-producing bacteria such as Alistipes compared to the HM chickens. ConclusionsStorage of newly harvested corn induced the synthetic reaction of large molecules and changed the solubility of starch and protein with increasing soluble sugars and decreasing pasting properties that may improve the fermentation of intestinal microbiota, improve the energy utilization and protect gut health without the risk of diarrhea.

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The efficacy of selected feed additives in the prevention of broiler chicken coccidiosis under natural exposure to Eimeria spp

Annals of Animal Science ◽

10.1515/aoas-2015-0026 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 15 (3) ◽

pp. 725-735 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Anna Arczewska-Włosek ◽

Sylwester Świątkiewicz

Keyword(s):

Broiler Chickens ◽

Control Diet ◽

Negative Control ◽

Feed Additives ◽

Herbal Extract ◽

Thymus Vulgaris ◽

Performance Parameters ◽

Mannan Oligosaccharide ◽

Natural Exposure ◽

Eimeria Spp

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate, under conditions similar to commercial broiler production, the effect of the herbal extract blend (HE) at a quantity of 1 g per kg feed (200 mg of each herbal extract, Allium sativum, Salvia officinalis, Echinacea purpurea, Thymus vulgaris and Origanum vulgare), used individually or in combination with mannan oligosaccharide (MOS; 1 g per kg feed) or chitosan (3 ml containing 2% deacetylated chitin per kg feed) on the performance parameters of broiler chickens, the results of the slaughter analysis, litter moisture and the number of oocysts excreted in feces. The experiment was conducted on 4,500 broiler chickens of both sexes kept in straw-bedded pens. Chickens were randomly assigned to 5 experimental treatments with 5 replicates (pens) of 180 birds. The experimental design included negative and positive (diclazuril, 1 mg per kg feed) control groups. The examined herbal extract blend used individually during natural exposure to the coccidia improved, compared to the negative control diet, the performance parameters to a greater extent than coccidiostat, lowered the litter moisture content and reduced the oocyst output. Combined dietary supplementation with a herbal extract blend of chitosan or mannan oligosaccharide did not result in further improvement.

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Impact of Dietary Supplementation of Flaxseed Meal on Intestinal Morphology, Specific Enzymatic Activity, and Cecal Microbiome in Broiler Chickens

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11156714 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (15) ◽

pp. 6714

Author(s):

Roua Gabriela Popescu ◽

Sorina Nicoleta Voicu ◽

Gratiela Gradisteanu Pircalabioru ◽

Sami Gharbia ◽

Anca Hermenean ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Enzymatic Activity ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Dietary Supplementation ◽

Feed Additives ◽

Intestinal Morphology ◽

Control Group ◽

Alpha Linolenic Acid ◽

Flaxseed Meal ◽

Specific Enzymatic Activity ◽

Specific Activities

The use of natural feed additives could be a beneficial approach to maintaining the health of chickens and a way to improve food digestion. Flaxseed is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acid, alpha linolenic acid, oleic acid, and fiber. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of 4% flaxseed on the intestinal morphology, specific enzymatic activity, and cecal microbiome in broiler chickens. The 4-week feeding trial was conducted on 100 Cobb 500 (14 days of age) unsexed broiler chickens divided into two groups: a control group (C) and an experimental group (E). The broilers were housed in boxes of size 3 m2 (each group was housed in a single box with 10 replicates, 5 chickens per replicate) and reared on permanent wood shaves litter (10–12 cm thick). At the end of the experiment, chickens (n = 10) were sacrificed and tissue samples were harvested from the duodenum, jejunum, and cecum for histological, enzymatic, and microbiome analyses. In group E, histological analysis revealed a significant increase in villus height (p < 0.001) possibly leading to enhanced intestinal nutrient absorption. An increase in the specific activities of α-amylase (p < 0.05), invertase (p < 0.01), and endo-β-1,4-glucanase (p < 0.001) was noticed in the E group for the duodenum and jejunum compared to the control group. In contrast, maltase activity decreased in the duodenum and increased in the jejunum in the E group. The trypsin and lipase specific activities did not vary in a significant way. In addition, the cecal microbiome of the E group was characterized by an increase in Lactobacilli (p < 0.01) and Clostridium coccoides and a decrease in Bacteroides, Ruminoccocus, Enterobacteriaceae, and Clostridium leptum. In conclusion, our results suggest that dietary supplementation of flaxseed meal may boost intestinal health status in poultry.

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Correlations between changes in intestinal microbiota composition and performance parameters in broiler chickens

Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition ◽

10.1111/jpn.12256 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 99 (3) ◽

pp. 418-423 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

L. A. Rubio ◽

M. J. Peinado ◽

R. Ruiz ◽

E. Suárez-Pereira ◽

C. Ortiz Mellet ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intestinal Microbiota ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Microbiota Composition ◽

Performance Parameters ◽

And Performance

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The Effectiveness of the Use of Oregano and Laurel Essential Oils in Chicken Feeding

Annals of Animal Science ◽

10.1515/aoas-2015-0099 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 779-796 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Ilias Giannenas ◽

Athina Tzora ◽

Ioannis Sarakatsianos ◽

Achilleas Karamoutsios ◽

Stylianos Skoufos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Essential Oil ◽

Essential Oils ◽

Antioxidant Capacity ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Intestinal Microbiota ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Mineral Content ◽

Intestinal Morphology ◽

Control Group ◽

Oregano Essential Oil

AbstractThe objective of this experimental study was to investigate the effects of essential oils of oregano, laurel and their combination on growth performance, intestinal microbiota and intestinal morphology as replacers of antibiotic growth promoters, as well as on the antioxidant capacity and mineral content of breast and thigh meat. A total of 256 day-old broiler chickens were randomized into 4 groups with 4 replicates. Control group received a basal corn-soybean diet, whereas the other experimental groups received the basal diet plus 25 mg/kg oregano essential oil, 2.5 mg/kg laurel essential oil or their combination, respectively. Chickens had free access to water and feed. Body weight gain and feed to gain ratio was calculated for the total fattening period and mortality was daily recorded. Intestinal microbiota was enumerated by conventional techniques with selective agar media at the end of the trial at both ileum and caecum. Also, evaluation of intestinal morphology was carried out in small intestine and caecum. At the end of the trial, birds were slaughtered, their carcasses were processed and samples of breast and thigh meat were analyzed for moisture, fat and protein content. Total phenolic content was determined in feeds and breast and thigh meat in order to assess its antioxidant capacity. Mineral content of breast and thigh meat was evaluated by ICP-MS. The results of the trial showed that the group that received oregano or the mixture of oregano and laurel presented better BW and FCR and mortality compared to control group. Bacterial counts for the Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria were higher in the experimental groups compared to the control group at both ileum and caecum, and total coliforms were lower in caecum in the experimental groups compared to control. Higher values for villus height were found for the oregano supplemented groups compared to control or laurel ones. Oregano supplemented groups showed higher antioxidant capacity of breast and thigh meat compared to control and laurel groups, however no changes in mineral content were noted among the different groups. In conclusion, oregano essential oil alone or as a mixture with laurel essential oil can be used to improve growth performance and gut health in broiler chickens.

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