scholarly journals Crude palm stearin influences the performance, carcass quality and intestinal morphology of broiler chicks

2021 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-56
Author(s):  
A. A. Khaskheli ◽  
L. Chou
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Meat Quality ◽  
Palm Stearin ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Abdominal Fat ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Broiler Chicks ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Carcass Yield

The main objective of the investigation was to observe the growth performance, carcass yield, meat quality, and intestinal morphology of broiler chicks with respect to the dietary crude palm stearin (CPS). The study was conducted on 200 birds and dividing them into two experimental groups viz control and CPS treated group with 10 replications of 10 birds in each. Chicks under the control group were fed basal diet only, however in CPS treated group chicks were fed the basal diet supplemented with 3% CPS. Birds were reared for 42 days and data regarding different parameters of study was recorded. Data were analyzed by student T-test and differences were considered significant at P < 0.05.Results indicated CPS treated group pertaining to lower final body weight, daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio, feed intake, dressing percentage, fillets, thight+drumsticks, and wings percentages. CPS treated group possessed lower liver, spleen, gizzard, and abdominal fat weights. Breast meat holds lower values for shear force, drip loss in CPS treated group, while cooking loss found vice versa. Abdominal fat breast in the meat and thigh skin possessed higher a* (redness) and b* (yellowness) values in CPS treated chicks, while breast skin and thigh meat hold lower a* and b* values in CPS treated chicks compared to control. Intestinal villus height, villus area and crypts depth in duodenum found considerably higher in the CPS treated chicks. Jejunum in CPS treated group possessed higher crypt depth but villus height and villus area remained lower. In conclusion, CPS impairs overall growth performance, carcass yield and meat quality but supports the intestinal morphology. 

scholarly journals Dietary Supplementation With Didancao (Elephantopus scaber L.) Improves Meat Quality and Intestinal Development in Jiaji Ducks

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chengjun Hu ◽  
Lihong Gu ◽  
Mao Li ◽  
Fengjie Ji ◽  
Weiping Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Meat Quality ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Intestinal Development ◽  
Microbiota Composition ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Crypt Depth ◽  
Elephantopus Scaber

Didancao (Elephantopus scaber L.) has been used as a traditional herbal medicine and has exhibited a beneficial role in animal health. This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with E. scaber on growth performance, meat quality, intestinal morphology, and microbiota composition in ducks. A total of 480 Jiaji ducks (42 days old, male:female ratio = 1:1) were randomly assigned to one of four treatments. There were six replicates per treatment, with 20 ducks per replicate. The ducks in the control group (Con) were fed a basal diet; the three experimental groups were fed a basal diet supplementation with 30 (T1), 80 (T2), and 130 mg/kg (T3) of E. scaber. After a 48-day period of supplementation, growth performance, meat quality, intestinal morphology, and microbiota composition were evaluated. The results showed that no differences were observed in the final body weight, average daily feed intake, and average daily gain among the four groups. Compared with that in the Con group, the feed conversion in the T1 and T2 groups was increased significantly; the T2 group was shown to decrease the concentration of alanine aminotransferase in serum; the T3 group was lower than the Con group in the concentration of aspartate aminotransferase and was higher than the Con group in the concentration of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. The highest concentration of creatinine was observed in the T1 group. The T2 group was higher than the Con group in the contents of Phe, Ala, Gly, Glu, Arg, Lys, Tyr, Leu, Ser, Thr, Asp, and total amino acids in the breast muscle. Moreover, the T2 group was higher than the Con group in the contents of meat C18:2n−6 and polyunsaturated fatty acid. The concentration of inosinic acid in the T1, T2, and T3 groups was significantly higher than that in the Con group. However, the Con group was higher than the T2 or T3 group in the Zn content. The T2 group was lower than the Con group in the jejunal crypt depth. The T3 group was higher than the Con group in the ileal villus height and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth. In addition, the T3 group had a trend to significantly increase the abundance of Fusobacteria. Compared with the Con group, the T1 and T2 groups displayed a higher abundance of Subdoligranulum. Collectively, dietary supplementation with 80 mg/kg of E. scaber improves meat quality and intestinal development in ducks.

scholarly journals Effects of Dietary Taurine Supplementation to Gilts during Late Gestation and Lactation on Offspring Growth and Oxidative Stress

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengmeng Xu ◽  
Long Che ◽  
Kaiguo Gao ◽  
Li Wang ◽  
Xuefen Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Protein Expression ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Barrier Function ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
And Oxidative Stress

Birth is one of the most important events of animal production agriculture, as newborns are abruptly forced to adapt to environmental and nutritional disruptions that can lead to oxidative damage and delay in growth. Taurine (Tau) is an important regulator of oxidative stress and possesses growth-enhancing properties. In the present study, we investigated the effects of dietary Tau supplementation in gilts during late gestation and lactation on the growth performance of piglets by assessing intestinal morphology and barrier function, and oxidative stress status. Sixteen gilts were randomly allocated to the Con (basal diet) and Tau (basal diet with 1% Tau) groups from 75 d of gestation to weaning. Maternal dietary Tau supplementation significantly increased weaning weight and average daily gain weight in piglets. Piglets in the Tau group had higher villus height and villus height-to-crypt depth ratio (VCR), ZO-1 protein expression, and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) content in the jejunum. Meanwhile, Tau bebeficial affected the milk quality of gilts, as indicated by decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and increased total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), total antioxidative capability (T-AOC), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) activity. Furthermore, Tau supplementation increased T-SOD activity in plasma and SOD2 protein expression in the jejunum in the piglets. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that dietary Tau supplementation to gilts improves growth performance in piglets, owing to improved intestinal morphology and barrier function, as well as inhibition of oxidative stress.

scholarly journals PSVI-1 Improvement of gut morphology and meat quality of broiler chickens by encapsulated citral and cinnamaldehyde

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 195-195
Author(s):  
Chongwu Yang ◽  
Janghan Choi ◽  
Marion Mogire ◽  
Argenis Rodas-González ◽  
Moussa S Diarra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Meat Quality ◽  
Ph Value ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Gut Morphology

Abstract This study investigated the effects of encapsulated citral (CIT) and cinnamaldehyde (CIN) on growth performance, intestinal morphology and meat quality in broilers. A total of 320 0-day-age male broilers (Cobb 500) were allocated 32 pens with 8 pens per treatment. The treatments included: 1) Corn-wheat-SBM basal diet (negative control); 2) basal diet with 30 ppm avilamycin premix (positive control); 3) basal diet with 50 ppm encapsulated CIT and CIN (CCL); 4) basal diet with 100 ppm encapsulated CIT and CIN (CCH). There were no significant differences between treatments in growth performance (P &gt; 0.05) at each feeding stage. Additionally, birds had similar relative organ weights of heart, liver, spleen and bursa (P &gt; 0.05). The higher ratios of villus height to crypt depth (VCR; P ≤ 0.05) were detected in broilers fed either CCL or CCH, with an average being 14.67 and 15.13 in the duodenum, and 15.13 and 13.58 in the jejunum, respectively. Regarding meat quality, a higher pH value (pH = 6.21) in the breast was observed in 24-h post mortem chickens fed CCL (P ≤ 0.05). No significant differences of pH were detected in the breast in 96-h post mortem birds. The breast color (redness, yellowness, and lightness) in either 24-h or 96-h post mortem chickens was not significantly different among treatments (P &gt; 0.05). No change in purge loss (%) was observed in the breast after 48 h. The severity of white striping (WS) or woody meat (WB) was higher in the positive control (WS = 0.58; WB = 0.15) than in other treatments (P ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, dietary treatment with encapsulated CIT and CIN improved gut morphology and meat quality of broilers by increasing VCR in the small intestine and reducing the severity of WS/WB in the breast, respectively, without affecting growth performance.

scholarly journals Effects of feeding garlic powder on growth performance and meat quality of broiler

2016 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-83
Author(s):  
MS Ali ◽  
M Kamruzzaman ◽  
ZH Khandaker
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Meat Quality ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Broiler Chicks ◽  
Fat Percentage ◽  
Garlic Powder ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

An experiment was conducted with 60 day old Cobb-500 broiler chicks for a period of 28 days with the aims of investigating the effects of different level of garlic powder on growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of broilers to produce safe broiler meat. The experimental broiler chicks were divided randomly into four different groups with three replications having 5 chicks in each. Maize-soybean based diet was used as basal diet for group 1. Basal diet was supplemented with 1%, 2% and 3% garlic powder on fresh basis for group 2, 3, and 4 respectively. The broiler of groups 2, 3, and 4 were showed significantly (p>0.05) higher body weight than control group at 4 weeks of age. Feed conversion ratio of group 2, 3, and 4 were significantly (p>0.05) lower than group 1. Group 2 was given significantly lower fat percentage than other groups. Group 3 and 4 showed more or less similar fat content but lower than control groups. Thus, it may be concluded that garlic powder may be used in chicken diet.Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2016. 45 (2): 79-83

scholarly journals Effects of dietary Lasia spinosa Thw. powder supplementation on growth performance, blood metabolites, antioxidant status, intestinal morphology, and cecal microbiome in Chinese yellow-feathered broilers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Yongxing ◽  
Zhang Lang ◽  
Tian Kui ◽  
Sun Haodong ◽  
Liu Xingting ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Antioxidant Status ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Breast Muscle ◽  
Blood Metabolites ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Crypt Depth ◽  
Group A

Abstract Background: Lasia spinosa Thw. (LST) has been proven to be nutritious and have growth-promoting, antioxidant functions and so on, but its effect in chicken is still unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary LST powder supplementation on growth performance, blood metabolites, antioxidant status, intestinal morphology and cecal microbiome in Chinese yellow-feathered broilers.Methods: A total of 400 one-day-old yellow-feather broilers were randomly allotted to 4 dietary treatments: LST0 group (a basal diet), LST1 group (a basal diet with 1% LST powder), LST2 group (a basal diet with 2% LST powder), LST4 group (a basal diet with 4% LST powder), ten replicates for each treatment and 10 broilers in each treatment group. Results: Results indicated that the average daily feed intake of broilers during 22-42d and the average daily gain of chickens over all periods were significantly increased by dietary supplementation of LST powder compared to a control group, while the feed conversion ratio during the overall periods was markedly decreased. The levels of SOD, CAT and GSH-Px in serum, liver and breast muscle were also significantly increased in LST supplemented groups, while ROS and MDA in serum, liver and breast muscle were decreased. Furthermore, the levels of TG and LDL-C were significantly decreased by the addition of dietary LST powder, while levels of HDL-C, Ca, Fe, Mg and P were linearly increased. Regarding the gut morphometric, crypt depth was significantly decreased by LST supplementation, while villus height and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth were notably increased. Sequencing of 16S rRNA from the cecal contents of broilers revealed that the composition of the chicken gut microbiota was altered by LST supplementation. Moreover, the diversity of microbiota in broilers was increased in the LST1 groups but was decreased in the LST2 and LST4 groups compared with LST0 groups. The differential genera enriched in LST1 groups, such as Bacillus, Odoribacter, Sutterella, Anaerofilum, Peptococcus, were closely related to the increased growth performance, antioxidant status, intestinal morphology, Ca, Mg and reduced blood lipid in the treated broilers. Conclusions: The supplementation of LST powder to the diets of Chinese yellow-feathered broilers improved growth performance, lipid profile, antioxidant indices, intestinal morphology and gut microbiota balance, with its optimum level in yellow-feathered broilers’ diet being 1%.

scholarly journals Effects of Encapsulated Cinnamaldehyde on Growth Performance, Intestinal Digestive and Absorptive Functions, Meat Quality and Gut Microbiota in Broiler Chickens

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Yang ◽  
M S Diarra ◽  
J Choi ◽  
A Rodas-Gonzalez ◽  
D Lepp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Meat Quality ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Amino Acid Transporter ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Gene Expressions ◽  
Cecal Microbiota ◽  
Acid Transporter

Abstract Essential oils are potential antimicrobial alternatives and their applications in animal feeds are limited due to their fast absorption in upper gastrointestinal tract. This study investigated the effects of encapsulated cinnamaldehyde (CIN) at 50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg on the growth performance, organ weights, meat quality, intestinal morphology, jejunal gene expression, nutrient digestibility, and ileal and cecal microbiota. A total of 320 male day-old broiler Cobb-500 chicks were randomly allocated to 4 treatments with 8 pens per treatment (10 birds per pen): 1) basal diet (negative control, NC); 2) basal diet supplemented with 30 mg/kg avilamycin premix (positive control, PC); 3) basal diet with 50 mg/kg encapsulated CIN (EOL); 4) basal diet with 100 mg/kg encapsulated CIN (EOH). Despite birds fed EOH tended to increase (P = 0.05) meat pH at 24 h, all pH values were normal. Similar to PC group, meat from birds fed EOL and EOH showed a reduced (P &lt; 0.05) Warner-Bratzler force shear (WBFS) compared to the NC group. The highest villus to crypt ratios (VH/CD; P &lt; 0.05) were observed in broiler fed either EOL or EOH, with an average being 14.67% and 15.13% in the duodenum and 15.13% and 13.58% in the jejunum, respectively. For jejunal gene expressions, only six out of the 11 studied genes showed statistically differences among the dietary treatments. Gene expressions of cationic amino acid transporter 1 (CAT-1) and neutral amino acid transporter 1 (B 0AT-1) were upregulated in EOH-fed birds compared to PC and NC-fed birds (P &lt; 0.05), respectively; while expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were downregulated in EOL-fed birds when compared to NC birds (P &lt; 0.05). Nonetheless, the expressions of cadherin 1 (CDH-1), zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1), and maltase-glucoamylase (MG) were all upregulated (P &lt; 0.05) in EOH-fed birds compared to PC-fed birds. The apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of dry matter, crude protein, crude fat and of all 18 tested amino acids increased in EOL-fed birds (P &lt; 0.01). Additionally, relative abundances (%) of ileal Proteobacteria decreased, while ileal and cecal Lactobacillus increased in EOH-fed birds (P &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, dietary encapsulated CIN improved meat quality and gut health by reducing meat WBFS, increasing VH/CD in intestines, jejunal gene expressions, AID of nutrients and beneficially ileal and cecal microbiota composition.

scholarly journals Effects of Plotytarya strohilacea Sieb. et Zuce Tannin on the Growth Performance, Oxidation Resistance, Intestinal Morphology and Cecal Microbial Composition of Broilers

2022 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenkai Tong ◽  
Fuhong Lei ◽  
Lixuan Liu ◽  
Fei Wang ◽  
Aiwei Guo
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Microbial Composition ◽  
Antioxidant Function ◽  
Total Antioxidant ◽  
Quadratic Relationship ◽  
Addition Amount

The purpose of this experiment was to study the effects of Plotytarya strohilacea Sieb. et Zuce tannin on broilers growth performance, antioxidant function, intestinal development, intestinal morphology and the cecal microbial composition. In this experiment, a total of 360 1-day-old Arbor Acres male broilers were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups, with 6 replicates in each group and 15 broilers in each replicate. The control group (Control) was fed the basal diet, and the broilers were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0 (Control), 100 (PT1), 400 (PT2), and 800 (PT3) mg/kg Plotytarya strohilacea Sieb. et Zuce tannins for 42 days, respectively. The results showed that the average daily feed intake (ADFI) of the PT1 group was significantly lower than that of the control group, and there was a significant quadratic relationship between the ADFI and the concentration of tannin (P &lt; 0.05). Compared with the control group, the F/G of broilers during the 22–42 days phase in the PT1 group showed a decreasing trend (P = 0.063). The serum catalase (CAT) activity in the PT1 group was significantly higher than those of the other three groups, and the effect was significantly quadratically related to the dosage (P &lt; 0.05). The glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in the PT1, PT2 and control groups were significantly higher than that of the PT3 group, and the effect was significantly quadratically related to the addition amount (P &lt; 0.05). The serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) activity in the PT1 group was significantly higher than that in the control group, and the effect was significantly quadratically related to the addition amount (P &lt; 0.05). Compared to the control group, the villus height of jejunum in the PT1, PT2 and PT3 groups were significantly higher, and there was a significant quadratic relationship between the villus height of jejunum and the addition amount (P &lt; 0.05). In addition, adding tannins to diets significantly increased Parabacteroides in the dominant genus (P &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with Plotytarya strohilacea Sieb. et Zuce tannin improved the growth performance, antioxidant function, and intestinal morphology along with an increased abundance of Parabacteroides in the cecum, and the recommended dosage of tannin in broiler diets was 100 mg/kg.

Influences of dietary supplementation of peanut skin powder (Arachis Hypogaea) on growth performance, carcass traits, blood chemistry, antioxidant activity and meat quality of broilers

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (5) ◽  
pp. 965 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. E. Abd El-Hack ◽  
E. A. Ashour ◽  
Gh. M. Elaraby ◽  
A. O. Osman ◽  
M. Arif
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Meat Quality ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Abdominal Fat ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Broiler Chicks ◽  
Growth Promoter ◽  
Peanut Skin ◽  
Dietary Treatments

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with powdered peanut skin (PS) as natural antioxidant and growth promoter on growth performance, carcass characteristics, serum metabolites and meat quality of Cobb broiler chickens. A total of 240 unsexed Cobb 500 1-week-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to four treatment groups with six replicates. The dietary treatments consisted of the basal diet as control and PS groups (1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 PS g/kg). Results showed that the highest values (P < 0.01) of live bodyweight and bodyweight gain were observed in the control group at 3 weeks of age and during the period of 1–3 weeks of age, respectively compared with all levels of PS. During 1–3 weeks of age, feed intake per day chicks fed the diet containing PS levels decreased numerically (P > 0.01) with increased levels of PS compared with the control. Supplementing 1.0 or 3.0 g/kg of PS insignificantly enhanced feed conversion ratio at 1–6 weeks of age. Dietary treatments significantly depressed giblets (P = 0.002), thigh (P = 0.0.027) and abdominal fat percentages (P > 0.0.1), however, increased (P = 0.004) breast percentage of broiler chicks at 6 weeks of age. The lowest value of serum creatinine and urea achieved by chicks fed diet contained 3.0 PS g/kg diet. Also, high density lipoprotein cholesterol in addition to triglycerides were significantly (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01) decreased with increasing level of PS supplementation. It can be concluded that PS as a phytogenic additive could be used as a supplementation to broiler diets to lower abdominal fat in carcass and cholesterol, creatinin and urea in blood. Sensory characteristics were not affected except that appearance was improved. Water-holding capacity was also improved.

scholarly journals Effects of probiotic supplements on growth performance and intestinal microbiota of partridge shank broiler chicks

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e12538
Author(s):  
Yizhe Ye ◽  
Zhiquan Li ◽  
Ping Wang ◽  
Bin Zhu ◽  
Min Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Conversion Ratio ◽  
Feed Conversion Ratio ◽  
Broiler Chicks ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Daily Gain

Background The benefits of probiotics being used in animals are well-documented via evidenced growth performance improvement and positive modulations of gut microbiota (GM). Thus, a combination of effective microorganisms (EM) has been frequently used in animal production, including broilers. However, there are only very limited reports of EM on the growth performance and the modulation in GM of partridge shank broiler chicks. Methods We attempted to evaluate the effects of a basal diet with the addition of an EM mixture on the growth performance and gut microbiome of the chicks. A total of 100 ten-day-old female partridge shank broiler chicks were randomly divided into two groups of 50 chicks each, of which, one group fed with EM supplementation in the basal diet (designated as EM-treated group), the other group just fed with a basal diet (referred as to non-EM treated group or control group). The body weight, daily feed intake, daily gain, feed conversion ratio and other growth parameters were observed and compared between EM-treated and non-EM-treated chicks, and the gut microbiota was profiled by 16S rRNA-based next generation sequencing (NGS). Results EM-treated chicks showed significantly increased performances in body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG) and reduced feed conversion ratio (FCR). Histological observation indicated that dietary supplementation of EM significantly increased the villus heights (VH) and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (VH/CD), while decreased the CD of jejunum, ilea, and ceca. The results of 16S rRNA-based gut microbiota analyses showed that Firmicutes accounted for the most of the relative abundance (63.24%∼92.63%), followed by Proteobacteria (0.62%∼23.94%), Bacteroidetes (0.80%∼7.85%), Actinobacteria (0.06%∼13.69%) and others in both EM-treated and non-EM-treated broiler chicks. The addition of EM could not alter the alpha diversity of gut microbiota. Compared with the non-EM-treated chicks, the abundances of bad bacteria in the phyla of Firmicutes, Euryarchaeota, and Ruminococcus were dramatically decreased in that of EM-treated chicks, while the abundances of good bacteria in the phyla of Actinobacteria and WPS-2 were significantly increased. Conclusions The supplementation of EM in feed could improve the growth performance and positively influence the morphological characteristics of the intestine, and ameliorate the community and structure of the intestinal microbiota of partridge shank broiler chicks.

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 &lt; 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 &lt; 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 &lt; 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.

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