Effects of Hypericum attenuatum Choisy extract on the immunologic function and intestinal microflora of broilers under oxidative stress

This study investigated the impact of Hypericum attenuatum Choisy extract (HYG) on immunological function and the cecum microflora in broilers. A total of 240 one-day-old AA broilers were randomly divided into 5 groups with 6 replicates of 8 broilers each: 1) the CN group, in which broilers were injected with saline and fed a basal diet; 2) the PC group, in which broilers were injected with lipolyaccharide (LPS) and fed a basal diet; 3) the HYG1 group, in which broilers were injected with LPS and fed a 400 mg/kg HYG-supplemented diet; 4) the HYG2 group, in which broilers were injected with LPS and fed a 800 mg/kg HYG-supplemented diet; 5) the HYG3 group, in which broilers were injected with LPS and fed a 1,200 mg/kg HYG-supplemented diet. Broilers were injected with 1 mg/kg LPS or the same amount saline 12 hours before sampling on d 21 and 42. The results revealed that dietary 400 mg/kg HYG supplementation alleviated spleen index and thymus index abnormalities, balanced the disturbance of serum immunoglobulin (Ig)M and IgA levels, and regulated the cytokine balance in the serum, liver, spleen and jejunum tissues included induced by LPS. Dietary supplementation with 400 mg/kg HYG also downregulated the relative expression of the inhibitor of kappa B kinase alpha (IKKα) and interleukin (IL)-6 mRNAs in the liver and upregulated the relative expression of the inhibitor kappa B alpha (IκBα) and IL-10 mRNAs in the spleen. Dietary HYG improved the cecal microflora balance at 42 d by increasing the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Alistipes and Phascolarctobacterium, while reducing the relative abundance of harmful bacteria, such as Helicobacter and Colidextribacter. Spearman correlation analysis revealed a negative correlation between activation of the NF-κB inhibitory pathway in the liver and the presence of Phascolarctobacterium, Erysipelatoclostridium, Subdoligranulum and Parabacteroides. Conclusions: The incorporation of 400 mg/kg HYG into the diet was optimal in improving broiler immunological function.

Speciation of arsenic in milk from cows fed seaweed

BACKGROUND

Including seaweed in cattle feed has gained increased interest, but it is important to take into account that the concentration of toxic metals, especially arsenic, is high in seaweed. This study investigated the arsenic species in milk from seaweed-fed cows.

RESULTS

Total arsenic in milk of control diets (9.3 ± 1.0 μg As kg-1, n = 4, dry mass) was significantly higher than seaweed-based diet (high-seaweed diet: 7.8 ± 0.4 μg As kg-1, P < 0.05, n = 4, dry mass; low-seaweed diet: 6.2 ± 1.0 μg As kg-1, P < 0.01, n = 4, dry mass). Arsenic speciation showed that the main species present were arsenobetaine (AB) and arsenate (As(V)) (37% and 24% of the total arsenic, respectively). Trace amounts of dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) and arsenocholine (AC) have also been detected in milk. Apart from arsenate being significantly lower (P < 0.001) in milk from seaweed-fed cows than in milk from the control group, other arsenic species showed no significant differences between groups.

CONCLUSION

The lower total arsenic and arsenate in seaweed diet groups indicates a possible competition of uptake between arsenate and phosphate, and the presence of AC indicates that a reduction of AB occurred in the digestive tract. Feeding a seaweed blend (91% Ascophyllum nodosum and 9% Laminaria digitata) does not raise As-related safety concerns for milk. © 2024 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

The effects of probiotic and phytase on growth performance, biochemical parameters and antioxidant capacity in broiler chickens

BACKGROUND

Probiotics and phytase are commonly used as dietary supplements in poultry diets. Phytase is involved in the release of phosphorus in plant grain ingredient of poultry feed, while probiotics provide beneficial organisms to the gastrointestinal tract.

OBJECTIVE

The present study was performed to evaluate the effect of both commercial probiotic and phytase on chicken performance and biochemical indices.

METHODS

A total of 300 chicks were divided into 4 groups that fed the basal diet, diet containing probiotic (Protexin®), Phytase (Meriphyze 5000®), and probiotic plus phytase all over the growing period. The growth indices were measured weekly, analysed at the 21 and 42 days of age. At 42 days of age, blood samples were collected from all chickens. The concentration of liver enzymes, lipid profiles and antioxidant status were measured in blood samples.

RESULTS

The results showed that the weight gain and feed intake were significantly higher in chickens received phytase alone or phytase in combination with probiotic. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) significantly lower in all supplemented chickens in comparison with control chickens (p < 0.05). Although the addition of probiotic or phytase to chicken diet showed an extent variation in biochemical and antioxidant indices, the addition of phytase plus probiotic showed a significantly increase of blood total protein (TP), albumin (Alb), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), super oxide dismutase (SOD), catalysis (CAT) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) level, while decrease triglyceride (TG), cholesterol (CHL), aspartate transferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in comparison to control chickens. The supplementation of chicken diet with probiotic, phytase or probiotic plus phytase did not effect on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL).

CONCLUSIONS

The simultaneous supplementation of probiotics and phytases seems to have a positive effect on growth indices in broilers, but they can cause changes in the serum biochemical profile, which sometimes lead to interference and do not always act synergistically.

The anticoccidial effect of alcoholic extract of Citrullus colocynthis fruit and Juglans regia peel‌ in experimentally infected domestic chicken

One of the main illnesses within the poultry industry is coccidiosis. Anticoccidial medicines applied in the poultry industry show many shortcomings and new control measures are necessary. The current research aimed to study the effect of extract of Citrullus colocynthis and Juglans regia peel on growth performance, gut bacteria, Haematological, Anticoccidial Index (ACI), and Optimum Anticoccidial Activity (OAA) of coccidiosis-infected domestic chicken. The maximum weight gain was observed in the groups treated with 0.001% and 0.01% C. colocynthis extract. Moreover, 0.01% C. colocynthis extract treatment increased two factors of ACI and OAA by 121.42 and 109, respectively, which were higher than commercial anticoccidial (Sulfaclozine). The extract of C. colocynthis fruit and J. regia peel decreased monocytes and eosinophils haematological factors and increased basophils in birds infected with Eimeria. Both extracts modulated intestinal microbiome haematological factors in birds infected with Eimeria, while J. regia peel extract had better performance than C. colocynthis fruit extract. These results indicate that used C. colocynthis and J. regia extracts have an anti-coccidial effect and the potential to control Eimeria infection.

Effects of a direct fed microbial (DFM) on broiler chickens exposed to acute and chronic cyclic heat stress in two consecutive experiments

Two consecutive 35 d experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of a multistrain DFM fed continuously to broiler chickens exposed to HS from 28 to 35 d on broiler performance, body composition, ileal digestibility, and intestinal permeability using serum Fluorescein Isothiocyanate Dextran (FITC-d) concentration. The treatments were arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial with temperature: Elevated (HS: 33 ± 2°C for 6 h and 27.7°C for the remaining 18 h from 28 to 35 days of age) and Thermoneutral (TN: 22 to 24°C over the entire 24-h day from 28 to 35 days of age) and diet: corn-soybean meal based with and without DFM (3-strain Bacillus; Enviva PRO) fed over the entire 35-d period as the two factors. Experimental diets were formulated to meet all nutrient recommendations based on breed standards using a starter (0–10 d), grower (10–21 d), and finisher (21–35 d) period. For each of the 2 experiments, 648 Ross 708 broiler chicks were allotted among the treatments with 9 replicate pens of 18 broilers. Data were analyzed as a 2 × 2 factorial within each experiment in JMP 14. In both experiments, cloacal temperatures were increased (P ≤ 0.05) in the broilers subjected to the HS treatment at both 28 d (acute) and 35 d (chronic). Supplementing birds with DFM reduced cloacal temperatures in the Experiment 1 at 28 d, but not at the other time periods. The HS treatment reduced body weight gain and lean tissue accretion from 0 to 35 d in both experiments (P ≤ 0.05). In Experiment 2, when the litter was reused BWG was increased by 36 g/bird with supplementation of DFM (P ≤ 0.05). Ileal digestibility at 28 d (2 h post HS) was improved with DFM supplementation in both experiments (P ≤ 0.05). Serum FITC-d increased with HS at both 28 and 35 d. Serum FITC-d was generally decreased with DFM at 28 d but the response was inconsistent at 35 d. Overall, the results suggest that HS reduced broiler performance and DFM treatment improved intestinal permeability and nutrient digestibility responses to HS in both experiments but did not improve performance until built up litter was used in Experiment 2.

The advantages and synergistic effects of Gunnera (Gundelia tournefortii L.) extract and protexin in chicken production

BACKGROUND

Probiotics and phytogenics in the poultry diet have many positive effects on productivity. The combination of these feed additives has not been studied.

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed for evaluation of synergistic effects of protexin (P) and Gunnera (Gundelia tournefortii L.) extract (GX) on growth, biochemical, hematological and antioxidant status of broiler chickens.

METHODS

Totally, 300 chicks were divided into 4 groups that fed the basal diet, diet containing P, GX, and GX plus P (GX-P) in all over the growing period. At 42 days of age, blood samples were collected from all chickens. The concentration of aspartate transferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), triglyceride (TG), cholesterol (CHL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), haematological parameters, and humeral antibody against Newcastle disease vaccine was measured.

RESULTS

The Results showed that the feed conversion ratio in chickens fed GX-P was significantly lower than others. Also, in chickens fed GX or GX-P, the TG and CHL concentration was significantly lower and GPx and TAC concentration was significantly higher than others, while chickens that received P or GX-P showed higher haemoglobin and TP concentration. The antibody response was significantly higher in chickens fed P. The ALT, AST, ALP, and SOD concentration did not show any significant difference in all chickens.

CONCLUSION

Continuous utilization of P along with GX in broiler diets can induce synergist effect on feed efficacy and antioxidant status, lowering lipid profiles with no effect on liver function in chickens.

Nanoencapsulation (in vitro and in vivo) as an efficient technology to boost the potential of garlic essential oil as alternatives for antibiotics in broiler nutrition

The addition of essential oil (EO) as chitosan encapsulated can increase the efficiency of these oils in broiler feeding. Therefore, the objective of the current research was to explore the antibacterial and antioxidant potential of garlic essential oil (GEO) (free vs. nanoencapsulated) and their effects on performance, gene expression of mucin2, microbial, and morphology of intestine in broilers. A total of 900 1-day-old male broilers (Ross 308) were assigned to six dietary treatments (0, 100, and 200 mg/kg free GEO and 0 (contain of chitosan), 100 and 200 mg/kg nanoencapsulated GEO) with a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement based on completely randomized design. Garlic essential oil encapsulation with chitosan significantly enhanced antibacterial and antioxidant parameters. At 100 mg/kg nanoencapsulated GEO had significant (P < 0.01) advantages in improving BW gain (BWG) (22-42 and 0-42) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) (0-42). Maximum feed intake (FI) was also associated with the control group (P < 0.05). Broilers fed on 100 mg/kg of nanoencapsulated GEO showed higher villi length and width relative to other treatments and villi length to crypt depth ratio as well (P < 0.01). The nanoencapsulation process of GEO (P < 0.01) affected the Lactobacilli population in the digesta of ileo-caecum and mucin2 gene expression. In broiler chickens, the tested EO, especially nanoencapsulated type, enhanced more evaluated parameters. Because of its ideal properties, nanoencasulating with chitosan may also be an effective and inexpensive way to protect bioactive compounds and improve GEO effects in broiler chickens.

Effects of dietary supplementation with herbal extract mixture on growth performance, organ weight and intestinal morphology in weaning piglets

BACKGROUND

Many countries are increasingly prohibiting the addition of antibiotics in livestock diets. Therefore, herb extracts have gradually drawn attention to substitute antibiotics. Our present study aimed to determine the effects of herbal extract mixture (HEM) in dietary on growth performance, organ weight, intestinal morphology and intestinal nutrient transporters in weaned pigs.

METHODS

27 piglets (Duroc × [Landrace × Yorkshire]; Body Weight (BW) = 5.99 ± 0.13 kg) were weaned at day 21 and randomly divided into three groups (n = 9 piglets/group). All piglets received a basal diet containing similar amounts of nutrients for 14 days. The three groups were the control (no additive), the antibiotics (375 mg/kg chlortetracycline, 20%, 500 mg/kg enramycin, 4%, 1,500 mg/kg oxytetracycline calcium, 50%) and the HEM group (1000 mg/kg extract mixture of golden-and-silver honeysuckle, huangqi, duzhong leaves and dangshen). After 14 d of treatment, we collected tissue samples to measure organ weight, intestinal parameters, intestinal morphology, digestive enzyme activities and intestinal mRNA expression of nutrient transporters.

RESULTS

The HEM group had no effects on growth performance and organ weight of weaned pigs. But compared with the control group, both HEM and antibiotics improved intestinal morphology, and HEM elevated the expression of nutrient transporters in ileum (SLC6A9, SLC15A1, and SLC5A1). HEM significantly decreased the activities of maltase in ileum and the ratio of small intestinal weight to BW than control group.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate benefit effects of the supplementation of HEM in diet, including modulating intestinal morphology and increasing the mRNA expression of nutrients transporters. These findings suggest that HEM provides novel insights into a variety of herbal extract mixtures to replace antibiotics in animal production.

Seaweed Potential in the Animal Feed: A Review

Seaweed (known as marine algae) has a tradition of being part of the animal feed in the coastal areas, from ancient times. Seaweeds, are mixed with animal feed, because when consumed alone can have negative impact on animals. Thus, seaweeds are very rich in useful metabolites (pigments, carotenoids, phlorotannins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, agar, alginate and carrageenan) and minerals (iodine, zinc, sodium, calcium, manganese, iron, selenium), being considered as a natural source of additives that can substitute the antibiotic usage in various animals. In this review, we describe the nutritional values of seaweeds and the seaweed effects in the seaweed-based animal feed/supplements.

Effects of antibiotic replacement with garlic powder and probiotic on performance, carcass characteristics, oxidative enzymes and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of probiotic and garlic powder instead of antibiotic on performance, carcass characteristics, oxidative enzymes and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens. A total of 200 one-day-old male broiler chicks were used in a completely randomized design. The experimental groups were including control group (without any additives) or CG, antibiotic group or AG, garlic powder group or GG, probiotic group or PG and garlic powder plus probiotic group or GPG. The broilers were weighted at the end of days 10, 24 and 42 to evaluate the body performance. At the end of experiment, four broilers randomly selected from each replicate to blood sampling and carcass traits measurement (2 chickens for each one). The use of GG significantly decreased feed intake than AG (p < 0.05) which approved in GPG when probiotic added to GG (p < 0.05). All groups, exception GG showed less feed intake than CG between days 0 to 42 of experiment (p < 0.05). GPG shows significant differences than CG between days 21 to 42 and 0 to 42 and also than GG between days 0 to 42. The use of GG and GPG significantly increased liver enzyme activities (p < 0.05). AG, PG and GPG showed a higher height and width villi than CG. So simultaneous use of probiotic and garlic powder can be a suitable alternative to antibiotics to normal performance and liver function

Effects of Different Dietary Levels of Blue Lupine (Lupinus angustifolius) Seed Meal With or Without Probiotics on the Performance, Carcass Criteria, Immune Organs, and Gut Morphology of Broiler Chickens

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different dietary levels of blue lupine (Lupinus angustifolius) seed meal with or without probiotics (Bacillus subtilis) in broiler diets on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, internal and immune organs, and gut morphology. Three experimental diets containing 0, 20, and 30% of blue lupine, with or without probiotics, were formulated and fed to 144 day (d)-old Ross 308 broiler chickens. Overall, chicks fed blue lupine meal diets, especially at the 30% rate, showed improved growth, feed performance parameters, and carcass characteristics in comparison to chicks fed a soybean meal-based diet. For example, a 30% blue lupine diet resulted in a significant increase in the duodenum length percentage of 35 d-old broilers; the addition of probiotics had no—effects on the dressing, thigh, and leg percentages of 21- and 35 d-old broilers and the drumstick and leg percentages of 35 d-old broilers. In conclusion, a 30% blue lupine seed diet with the addition of probiotics could provide a cheap source of protein without negative effects on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, immune organs and gut morphology of broilers.

The Genus Allium as Poultry Feed Additive: A Review

The genus Allium, belonging to the family Amaryllidaceae has been known since ancient times for their therapeutic potentials. As the number of multi-drug resistant infections has increased due to in-feed antibiotic usage in poultry, the relevance of alliums as feed additives has been critically assessed. Garlic and the other Allium species, such as onions, leek, shallot, scallion, and chives, have been characterized to contain a plethora of bioactive compounds such as organosulfur compounds, polyphenols, saponins, fructans, and fructo-oligosaccharides. Consequently, alliums have been validated to confer antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, immunostimulatory, gut homeostasis, and lipid- as well as cholesterol-lowering properties in poultry. This review intends to summarize recent progress on the use of edible alliums as poultry feed additives, their beneficial effects, and the underlying mechanisms of their involvement in poultry nutrition. Perspectives for future research and limitations are also briefly discussed.

Effects of star anise (Illicium verum Hook.f.) essential oil on nutrient and energy utilization of laying hens

An experiment using 96 Hy-Line brown laying hens at 29 weeks of age that were randomly allocated to four treatments with eight replicates was conducted to assess the effects of star anise (Illicium verum Hook.f.) oil (SAO) on nutrient and energy utilization. Dietary treatments were corn-soybean meal-based diets supplemented with 0, 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg SAO. The birds were fed the diets for 14 days. The conventional nutrients and amino acids of feed and excreta samples were measured for calculating apparent metabolic efficiency, and gross energy (GE) was analyzed for computation of apparent metabolic energy (AME) and true metabolic energy (TME). Endogenous losses were obtained from another 16 birds for calculating true metabolic efficiency. Birds supplemented with SAO had higher (p < 0.05) metabolic efficiency of crude protein (CP), organic matter (OM), Lys, Met, Arg, and Thr than those of control group. Quadratic effects on utilization of Lys, Met, and Thr were observed (p < 0.05). Inclusion of SAO to diet improved nutrient utilization, and the efficacy is best at 400 mg/kg.

Effects of Multi-Strain Probiotics Combined with Gardeniae fructus on Intestinal Microbiota, Metabolites, and Morphology in Broilers

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of a multi-strain probiotic combined with Gardeniae fructus on the growth performance, intestinal microbiota composition and metabolites, and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens. The dietary treatments included the basal diet without any antimicrobials (C), the basal diet supplemented with 10 ppm avilamycin (A), the basal diet supplemented with 0.1% multi-strain probiotics powder containing Lactobacillus acidophilus LAP5, L. fermentum P2, L. casei L21, and Pediococcus acidophilus LS (1×107 CFU/g) (P), and the basal diet supplemented with a mixture of 0.1% multi-strain probiotics and 0.05% herbal medicine G. fructus (PH). The results showed no significant differences in growth performance across all groups. A denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis indicated that the groups PH, P, and A exhibited an increase in the similarity coefficients of their intestinal microbial populations. The real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis showed that the relative concentrations of Firmicutes and Lactobacillus in the cecum and Bifidobacterium spp. in the ileum were higher in the groups PH, P, and A than in group C, and the diet supplemented with multi-strain probiotics combined with G. fructus decreased the concentrations of cecal Escherichia spp. and Clostridium perfringens. The broilers fed with multi-strain probiotics combined with G. fructus showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in the cecal short-chain fatty acids (total SCFA, acetic acid, and butyric acid) compared to the other groups. The treatment with antibiotics, multi-strain probiotics, or multi-strain probiotics combined with G. fructus increased the villus height/crypt depth ratio in the ileum of broilers. In conclusion, the supplementation of multi-strain probiotics combined with G. fructus was beneficial to the intestinal microflora composition, metabolites, and morphology in broilers.

In vivo effects of Allium cepa L. on the selected gut microflora and intestinal histomorphology in broiler

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of onion (Allium cepa L.,) on the performance, gut microflora and intestinal histomorphology of broiler chicks. Three hundred and twenty day old broiler chicks (Ross) were randomly divided into four groups as A, B, C and D. Group A served as control without any supplementation, group B, C and D was supplemented with onion powder at the rate of 1.5, 2 and 2.5g/kg of feed respectively. Supplementation of onion significantly (P<0.05) increased weight gain and feed consumption. Supplementation of onion showed a significant (P<0.05) reduction in the population of E. coli and increased significantly Lactobacillus and Streptococcus species. Onion supplementation significantly (P<0.05) increased the morphometry of length, width, crypt depth and surface area of the villus in duodenum, jejunum and ileum of the small intestine. In conclusion, onion supplementation in broiler produced a positive effect on performance, gut microflora and intestinal histomorphology.

Plectranthus amboinicus leaves stimulate growth of probiotic L. plantarum: evidence for ethnobotanical use in diarrhea

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Leaves of Plectranthus amboinicus are consumed in India along with buttermilk (a probiotic source) during pathogen induced diarrhea. This treatment is known to reduce the number of episodes as well as duration of diarrhea.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In the background of its ethnobotanical use, the present investigation was carried out to determine whether, apart from having an antimicrobial activity on pathogens, the leaves could possibly also have a positive effect on the beneficial microflora of the gut resulting in accelerated microbial ecological balance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The growth stimulating activity of the hot water extract (HWE) of P. amboinicus leaves on probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum was determined by microbroth dilution technique and viable plate count method in selective medium (MRS) as well as in fermented milk. The ability of the bacteria to utilize the phytoconstituents of HWE primarily phenolic acids and sugars was determined by assaying for phenolic acid decarboxylase by SDS-PAGE and β-galactosidase activity by β-gal ONPG assay.

RESULTS

HWE of P. amboinicus leaves inhibited growth of pathogens (Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium) while stimulated the growth of L. plantarum. SDS-PAGE gel showed the presence of phenolic acid decarboxylase enzyme induced in the presence of HWE in L. plantarum indicating the utilization of polyphenols by the bacteria. Cells grown on HWE also showed β-galactosidase activity indicating their ability to utilize sugars present in HWE.

CONCLUSION

Indian borage leaves have a prebiotic effect on the probiotic bacteria (L. plantarum) which utilizes the phytoconstituents of the leaves by producing necessary metabolic enzymes. This work provides evidence in the traditional use of the leaves in the alleviation of diarrhea by accelerating microbial gut balance during infection.

Influence of cardamom essential oils and seeds on growth performance, blood characteristics and immunity of broilers

This study was conducted to investigate the impact of dietary supplementation of cardamom essential oils (CEO) and powdered cardamom seeds (PCS) on the growth performance, plasma biochemistry, haematological characters, immune response and meat acceptability in broilers. In total, 300 day-old male broilers (Ross 308) were allocated to five treatments with six replicates. Dietary treatments included the basal diet as control, CEO-supplemented diets with an inclusion level of 50 (CEO1) or 100 (CEO2) mg/kg, and PCS-supplemented diets with an inclusion level of 3 (PCS1) or 6 (PCS2) g/kg. Feeding PCS1 diet improved (P < 0.05) bodyweight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of broilers during the grower period (11–28 days). Moreover, broilers fed the CEO2 diet had the lowest (P < 0.05) FCR during the whole growth period (0–42 days). Higher bursa index (P < 0.05) was detected in chickens receiving CEO1 and CEO2 diets; additionally, higher spleen index (P < 0.05) was recorded in the CEO1 group at 42 days of age. Haematological parameters including red blood cell, white blood cell, haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration values were not influenced (P > 0.05) by diet. By contrast, CEO1 and CEO2 diets decreased (P < 0.05) the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations compared with control diet. Plasma cholesterol level was also lower (P < 0.05) in the CEO1 group at 42 days of age. Sensory evaluation of meat samples indicated no differences (P > 0.05) among treatments for appearance, flavour, texture and overall acceptability. Our results suggest that the CEO2 diet was advantageous compared with control diet with respect to feed efficiency. Moreover, CEO1 had a positive effect on the blood cholesterol profile by decreasing the plasma cholesterol and LDL-C levels.

Feed supplementation with red seaweeds, Chondrus crispus and Sarcodiotheca gaudichaudii, affects performance, egg quality, and gut microbiota of layer hens

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of red seaweed supplementation to standard poultry diets on production performance, egg quality, intestinal histology, and cecal short-chain fatty acids in Lohmann Brown Classic laying hens. A total of 160 birds were randomly assigned to 8 treatment groups. Control hens were fed a basal layer diet; positive control hens were fed a diet containing 2% inulin; and 6 treatment groups were fed a diet containing one of the following; 0.5, 1, or 2% Chondrus crispus (CC0.5, CC1, and CC2, respectively) and one of the same 3 levels of Sarcodiotheca gaudichaudii (SG0.5, SG1, and SG2, respectively). Dietary supplementation had no significant effect on the feed intake, BW, egg production, fecal moisture content, and blood serum profile of the birds. The feed conversion ratio per gram of egg was significantly more efficient (P = 0.001) for CC2 and SG2 treatments. Moreover, SG1 supplementation increased egg yolk weight (P = 0.0035) and birds with CC1 supplementation had higher egg weight (P = 0.0006). The SG2 and CC2 groups had greater (P < 0.05) villus height and villus surface area compared with the control birds. Seaweed supplementation increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria [e.g., Bifidobacterium longum (4- to 14-fold), Streptococcus salivarius (4- to 15-fold)] and importantly reduced the prevalence of Clostridium perfringens in the gut of the chicken. Additionally, the concentrations of short-chain fatty acids, including acetic acid, propionic acid, n-butyric acid, and i-butyric acid, were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in CC and SG treatments than in the control. In conclusion, dietary supplementation using red seaweed inclusions can act as a potential prebiotic to improve performance, egg quality, and overall gut health in layer hens.