Role of steroid growth promoter on growth performance and meat quality traits in broiler

Comparative assessment of growth performance and meat quality in Water Hyacinth and antibiotic (growth promoter) supplemented broilers

The use of growth promoters in broiler feed is a common practice to enhance feed efficiency and accelerate growth rates. Ciprofloxacin, a widely used antibiotic in poultry farming, promotes growth and disease prevention but raises concerns about antibiotic residues in meat and the development of antibiotic resistance. This study examines the dietary effects of WH and ciprofloxacin on broiler growth rate, feed conversion ratio (FCR), meat quality, and muscle histology. Ninety broilers were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a control group, a WH-supplemented group (2.5% of daily feed), and a ciprofloxacin (Cipro) group (8 mg/kg body weight). Feed consumption and body weight were monitored daily, and after sacrifice, breast muscles were collected for meat quality assessment and histopathological analysis. WH supplementation significantly improved (P < 0.05) body weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and meat quality in broilers. Compared to control and ciprofloxacin groups, WH-treated broilers exhibited lower cooking and drip loss (P < 0.05), higher water-holding capacity (P < 0.01), and reduced shear force value (P < 0.05), indicating improved texture. Ciprofloxacin treatment resulted in reduced redness (P < 0.001) and increased yellowness (P < 0.01), while lightness remained unchanged across groups. Histological analysis revealed greater perimysium thickness and intermuscular adipose infiltration in WH-treated broilers, suggesting enhanced muscle structure. WH supplementation presents a safer, sustainable alternative to antibiotics in broiler production.

Hesperidin enhances broiler growth performance by augmenting gastric acid secretion via the proton pump pathway

Hesperidin exhibits promising potential as a feed additive for augmenting gastric acid secretion in animals. Gastrointestinal function is essential for animal growth and the efficient digestion of dietary nutrients, with gastric acid secretion serving as one of its critical components. The secretion of gastric acid, together with other digestive fluids and substances, significantly influences the digestion and absorption of animal feed, which in turn affects growth performance. However, there is limited research regarding the application of hesperidin as a feed additive to enhance gastric acid secretion. The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy of hesperidin as a feed additive in enhancing gastric acid secretion and to elucidate its underlying mechanisms. A total of 200 newly hatched (1-day-old) broilers with similar body weight were randomly allocated into four groups as follows: the control group receiving only the basal diet, and the other three groups supplemented with 50, 100, and 150 mg of hesperidin per kg of the basal diet, respectively. Each group consisted of five replicates with ten broilers per replicate, and the feeding trial lasted for a duration of 21 days. The growth performance was evaluated by monitoring feed intake and body weight throughout the trial. A four-day nutrient utilization trial was conducted prior to the conclusion of the feeding experiment. Adoption of the total collection method, the collected droppings were weighed and dried at 65 °C. Fifteen broilers from each group were euthanized and immediately dissected to obtain gizzard, proventriculus, gizzard chyme, and jugular blood samples, The proventriculus and gizzard weight were weighed and the pH of gizzard chyme was measured at the same time. The collected jugular venous blood was used to assess gastrin levels, whereas chicken gizzard chyme was utilized for the analysis of lactate, hydrochloric acid, and pepsin activity. Proventriculus and gizzard tissues were used to evaluate pepsinogen levels, perform hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining, conduct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for key proton pump components, and assess proton pump activity. The results demonstrated that, in comparison to the control group, both the 100mg/Kg and 150 mg/Kg groups exhibited a significant increase in final body weight (FBW) and average daily gain (ADG) (P < 0.05). Additionally, the feed to gain ratio (F/G) was significantly reduced in the 150mg/Kg group (P < 0.05). The results of the nutrient utilization trial indicate that all treatment groups had significantly higher levels of dry matter (DM) and ether extract (EE) compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, crude protein (CP) and gross energy (ME) were significantly higher in the 100mg/Kg and 150mg/Kg groups than in both the control group and the 50mg/Kg group (P < 0.05). The inclusion of hesperidin in broiler diets leads to significant improvements in stomach development and lactic acid content, while pH and hydrochloric acid content exhibit opposite trends (P < 0.05). Supplementation of broiler diets with hesperidin at doses of 100 mg/Kg and 150 mg/Kg significantly up-regulates pepsin activity and pepsinogen levels (P < 0.05). Incorporation of hesperidin into the broilers' diet significantly enhances parietal cell numbers (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation of hesperidin in broilers effectively up-regulates key signaling pathways and intracellular signal substances involved in proton pump activation (P < 0.05). The proton pump activity also exhibited a significant increase compared to the control group of 100mg/Kg and 150mg/Kg (P < 0.05) in our findings. In conclusion, hesperidin exhibits promising potential as a feed additive for broilers, and it can improve the growth performance of broilers by increasing gastric acid secretion and promoting nutrient utilization through activation of proton pump. Notably, basal diet supplemented with 150mg/Kg hesperidin demonstrates superior efficacy.

Study Rapid, Quantitative, and Simultaneous Detection of Drug Residues and Immunoassay in Chickens

Different levels of residual drugs can be monitored within a relatively safe range without causing harm to human health if the appropriate dosing methodology is considered and the drug withdrawal period is controlled during poultry and livestock raising. Antimicrobials are factors that can suppress the growth of microorganisms, and antibiotic residues in livestock farming have been considered as a potential cause of antimicrobial resistance in animals and humans. Antimicrobial drug resistance is associated with the capability of a microorganism to survive the inhibitory effects of the antimicrobial components. Antibiotic residue presence in chicken is a human health concern due to its negative effects on consumer health. Neglected aspects related to the application of veterinary drugs may threaten the safety of both humans and animals, as well as their environment. The detection of chemical contaminants is essential to ensure food quality. The most important antibiotic families used in veterinary medicines are β-lactams (penicillins and cephalosporins), tetracyclines, chloramphenicols, macrolides, spectinomycin, lincosamide, sulphonamides, nitrofuranes, nitroimidazoles, trimethoprim, polymyxins, quinolones, and macrocyclics (glycopeptides, ansamycins, and aminoglycosides). Antibiotic residue presence is the main contributor to the development of antibiotic resistance, which is considered a chief concern for both human and animal health worldwide. The incorrect application and misuse of antibiotics carry the risk of the presence of residues in the edible tissues of the chicken, which can cause allergies and toxicity in hypersensitive consumers. The enforcement of the regulation of food safety depends on efficacious monitoring of antimicrobial residues in the foodstuff. In this review, we have explored the rapid detection of drug residues in broilers.

Hesperidin facilitating gastrointestinal motility by "Gut-brain axis" and "SCF/C-Kit signaling pathways"

Hesperidin shows promising results as a potential feed additive for enhancing gastrointestinal motility in animals. Gastrointestinal function plays a pivotal role in animal growth and the digestibility of dietary nutrients, with gastrointestinal motor function serving as a crucial component. However, limited research has been conducted on the application of hesperidin as a feed additive to promote gastrointestinal motility. The present study aims to assess the efficacy of Hesperidin as a feed additive in promoting gastrointestinal motility and elucidating its underlying mechanism. A total of 200 newly hatched (1-day-old) broilers with similar body weight were randomly allocated into 4 groups as follows: the control group receiving only the basal diet, and the other 3 groups supplemented with 50, 100, and 150 mg of hesperidin per kg of the basal diet, respectively. Each group consisted of 5 replicates with ten broilers per replicate, and the feeding trial lasted for a duration of 21 d. At 21 d of age, a 5% w/v Evans Blue solution in distilled water was utilized to measure intestinal transit rates (ITR). Gastric emptying (GE) was evaluated by administering a phenol red solution at a concentration of 0.05% w/v (1 mL/broiler). Fifteen broilers from each group were euthanized and immediately dissected to obtain gizzard, hypothalamus, duodenum, and jugular blood samples. Jugular blood samples were collected for brain-gut peptide content analysis, while gizzard, hypothalamus, and duodenum samples were used for immunohistochemical analysis. Real-time qPCR was performed on gizzard samples. The results demonstrated a significant improvement in the GE and ITR of broilers in all treatment groups compared to the control group (P < 0.05), particularly in the 100mg/Kg and 150mg/Kg hesperidin group. Incorporation of hesperidin into the broilers' diet significantly enhances serum levels of ghrelin, encompassing serotonin (5-HT), motilin (MTL), cholecystokinin (CCK), and Stem Cell Factor (SCF) as well as substance P (SP) in the gizzard and duodenal tissues while reducing vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) levels (P < 0.05). The group administered a dosage of 150mg/Kg exhibited the most pronounced effect.Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that hesperidin supplementation up-regulated SP protein content and down-regulated VIP protein content in the hypothalamus, gizzard, and duodenum of broilers (P < 0.05), with the most pronounced effect illustrated in the 150mg/Kg hesperidin group. Furthermore, addition of hesperidin to broiler feed resulted in a significant up-regulation of protein expression and gene expression related to SCF and The protein expression of Receptor tyrosine kinase (C-Kit) was significantly upregulated in the 150mg/Kg group, while the gene expression of C-Kit was significantly upregulated in the 50 mg/Kg group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, hesperidin exhibits promising potential as a feed additive for broilers, as its dietary supplementation of hesperidin improves gastrointestinal motility through modulation of both "gut-brain axis" signaling pathways and "SCF/C-Kit signaling pathways" within broiler chicken's digestive system. Notably, basal diet supplemented with 150mg/Kg hesperidin demonstrates superior efficacy.

Marine macroalgae (Enteromorpha intestinalis) for improving the growth performance, meat quality traits, and serum biochemical parameters in broilers

Objective

The purpose of the current study was to examine the effectiveness of green macroalgae as a novel, natural feed additive for broilers that have a greater concentration of active ingredients.

Materials and Methods

Four experimental groups of 180-day-old male broiler chicks (Cobb-500) were randomly assigned, with three replicates in each group: the control group [T0, maintained only with basal diet] and three treatment groups supplemented with macroalgae for 35 days along with basal diet [T1 = 0.05% (w/w); T2 = 0.1% (w/w); T3 = 0.2% (w/w) macroalgae]. Live weight, carcass weight, and organs' weight were noted at the conclusion of the experiment. The meat quality was examined using the muscles of the thighs and breasts, and blood serum was obtained for biochemical assessment.

Results

The results revealed that dietary supplementation of green macroalgae (0.1%) in broiler rations significantly (p < 0.05) improved the growth performance compared to other treated groups and controls. With increasing weight, it enhanced meat quality traits assessed by increased water holding capacity, ultimate pH, redness and yellowness, and decreased lightness of muscles in the thighs and breasts. Both the levels of serum cholesterol and abdominal fat decreased and showed no unwholesome effects on liver and kidney functions.

Conclusion

For the production of safe and high-quality poultry meat, marine green macroalgae (Enteromorpha intestinalis) could be used as a potential feed additive. It enhanced the growth rate in broilers and improved meat quality and serum biochemical parameters for supplying healthy meat in the human food chain.

Effects of dietary supplementation of fermented Artemisia argyi on growth performance, slaughter performance, and meat quality in broilers

Artemisia argyi (AA) is promising as a potential feed additive. Microbial fermentation is beneficial to the degradation of cell walls and the better release of bioactive compounds of AA. However, there are few reports on the application of fermented AA as a feed additive for broilers. The present study intended to evaluate the application value of fermented AA as a feed additive for broilers by examining the effects of the dietary supplementation of Aspergillus niger-fermented AA and unfermented AA on growth performance, slaughter performance, and meat quality of brokers. A total of 360 newly hatched (1-day-old) broilers with similar body weight were randomly divided into the following 5 groups: basal diet group as control (C) group, basal diet +3% unfermented AA (E1) group, basal diet + 1% fermented AA (E2) group, basal diet + 3% fermented AA (E3) group, basal diet + 5% fermented AA (E4) group. Each group included 6 replicates with 12 broilers per replicate, and the feeding trail lasted for 48 d. Body weight and feed intake were recorded every 2 wk, and the feed gain ratio was calculated to assess growth performance. At 42 d, 6 broilers from each group were slaughtered, and the carcass traits were calculated. The results showed that compared with the control group, Aspergillus Niger could effectively destroy AA fiber, which contributed to better release of AA bioactive compounds. Moreover, dietary supplementation with AA could improve the growth performance of broilers (P < 0.05), and the effect of fermented AA was better than unfermented AA, especially 3% fermented AA. From 28 to 42 d, compared with the control group, the average daily gain of broilers in the group supplementation with 3% fermented AA was significantly increased (P < 0.05), and the feed-to-gain ratio was decreased (P < 0.05). At 42 d, the dressing percentage, half-eviscerated carcass percentage, eviscerated carcass percentage, and breast muscle percentage of broilers in the groups of 1, 3, and 5% fermented AA diets were significantly improved (P < 0.05), and the thigh muscle percentage of broilers in the group with 3% fermented AA diets was significantly improved (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the meat quality of broilers in the group with fermented AA diets was also significantly improved. Birds in AA groups had higher a* value and lower shear force of breast muscle, especially the group supplementation with 3% fermented AA (P < 0.05). In conclusion, fermented AA has good application value as a potential feed additive for broilers, dietary supplementation of fermented AA can improve the production performance and meat quality of broiler chickens, of which 3% fermented AA is more effective.

Data analytics-based evaluation of blood indices and adaptation of medicated and non-medicated broiler chickens under humid tropical conditions

The growth performance and blood indices of medicated and non-medicated broiler chickens have been the subject of this research coupled with a paucity of comparative information on what can actually happen to broiler chickens if not medicated when reared under humid tropical conditions. One hundred unsexed day-old broilers were randomly and equally allotted into two treatment groups of TM (medicated) and TN (non-medicated) in a completely randomized design each treatment with five replicates having ten birds each. The birds were reared on deep litter system for 56 d which was divided into two phases of 28 d each (starter and finisher), during which data were collected with respect to daily feed intake, final body weight, body weight gained (BWG), mortality rate while blood analysis was carried out on 28th and 56th d for starter and finisher phases, respectively. Non-medicated group served as control. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) and feed conversion efficiency (FCE), were later calculated. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance statistically. There was no significant difference between the medicated and non-medicated broilers for daily feed intake, final body weight, and BWG and also for the blood parameters investigated at starter phase. However, at finisher phase, no significant difference was observed in the daily feed intake of Tm and Tn but there was significant (P < 0.05) difference in the final body weight, BWG, FCR, FCE, and mortality rate between the two groups. Birds on Tm attained higher weight significantly (P < 0.05) than those on TN. BWG, FCR, and FCE followed the same trend and also the mortality rate. White blood cells count of TN was higher significantly (P < 0.05) than TM while TM birds recorded higher packed cell volume, red blood counts, and hemoglobin concentration (Hb) significantly (P < 0.05) than TM birds. Effect of medication was much noticeable at finisher phase as it improved the growth rate though mortality rate was close to that of TN group. These results suggest that broilers can be produced free of medication with good feeding without loss of birds while the growth rate can be enhanced with the use of prebiotics and prebiotics.

Efficacy of clove and tulsi supplementation in drinking water in broiler immunity

BACKGROUND

Medicinal plants or their products are popular substitutes for antibiotics or other synthetic growth promoters for their beneficial effects and cost-effectiveness. Clove (Cv) and tulsi (Ts) are rich in phytochemicals and are used to augment the growth performance of poultry.

OBJECTIVES

The current investigation was carried out to evaluate the effects of Cv and Ts supplementation in drinking water on the morphologic and morphometric adaptations in the lymphoid organs.

METHODS

The experiment was conducted on 60 broiler chicks, divided into 4 homogenous groups (5 pens/group and 3 broilers/pen) named T0 (control), T1 (0.5% Cv and 2% Ts), T2 (1% Cv and 3% Ts) and T3 (1.5% Cv and 4% Ts). The treatments were administered from days 8 to 28. Lymphoid organs (thymus, spleen and bursa of Fabricius) were collected on days 14, 21 and 28 after sacrificing five broilers from each group.

RESULTS

The treatment groups had higher thymus and spleen weights on day 21, whereas the weights of the bursa of Fabricius were higher on days 14, 21 and 28. In the histomorphologic study, no noticeable difference in the histoarchitectures of the lymphoid organs was noticed. However, substantial differences in the cortico-medullary ratio and the number of follicles in the thymus and bursa of Fabricius, respectively, were found in the histomorphometric investigation.

CONCLUSION

The inclusion of Cv and Ts in drinking water augments the weight of lymphoid organs with histomorphometric adaptations that might improve the immune status in broilers.

Modulation of inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers due to dexamethasone exposure in chicken splenocytes

Dexamethasone (DEXA) is a potent corticosteroid, commonly used for treating inflammatory, hypersensitive and allergic conditions. It is administered to birds with tumours. Many studies were conducted on its immunosuppressive effects; however none of the similar study is available employing chicken splenocytes culture system. The present study was conducted to assess DEXA induced alterations in inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in chicken splenocytes due to its in vitro exposure. The maximum non-cytotoxic dose (MNCD) was evaluated and was further used for conducting lymphocytes proliferation assay (LPA), antioxidant assays (lipid peroxidation, GSH, superoxide dismutase and nitric oxide assays) and assessment of mRNA levels of various genes (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, LITAF, iNOS, NF-κB1, Nrf-2, Caspase-3 and -9) through qPCR. The MNCD was determined to be 30 ng/ml in chicken splenocytes culture system. DEXA caused reduction in B and T lymphocytes proliferation indicating its immunosuppressive effects, however improved the antioxidant status of the exposed splenocytes. The expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, iNOS, LITAF and NF-κB1 were significantly reduced while IL-10 was enhanced, which signify potent anti-inflammatory potential of DEXA. NF-κB is a major transcription factor that regulates genes responsible for both, innate and adaptive immune responses and elicits inflammation. The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) level was found to be up-regulated. Nrf-2 plays important role in combating the oxidant stress and its increased expression could be the reason of improved antioxidant status of DEXA exposed cells. Present findings indicated that DEXA exhibited modulation in anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antioxidant mediators in chicken splenocytes.

Role of Clove and Tulsi on broiler health and meat production

The role of Clove (Cv) and Tulsi (Ts) supplementation on broiler growth performance and gut health as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters has already been established. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to investigate the role of Cv and Ts on the serum biochemical profile and meat quality traits in broilers. A total of sixty (60) one-day-old commercial broiler chicks were randomly allotted into four homogenous groups (15 birds per group). They were then fed Cv powder and Ts extract from day (d) 8 to d 28 with drinking water i.e. zero level of Cv or Ts (T0), 0.5% Cv + 2% Ts (T1), 1.0% Cv + 3% Ts (T2), 1.5% Cv + 4% Ts (T3). Blood and meat samples were collected on d 14, 21, and 28 to analyze the serum-biochemical profile and meat quality. Supplementation of Cv and Ts improved serum-biochemical profile by reducing total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels in broilers. However, they did not affect the serum protein levels while the 0.5-1% Cv and 2-3% Ts supplemented groups had higher glucose levels on d 21. Production of breast and thigh meat increased with increased size, and density of myofibers while fed 0.5-1% Cv and 2-3% Ts. On the contrary, 1.5% Cv powder and 4% Ts extract supplementation improved thigh meat color, breast and thigh meat pH as well as the water-holding capacity. The current study findings suggest that Cv and Ts can be used in combination to improve broiler health, production, and meat quality.

Determination of oxprenolol, methandienone and testosterone in meat samples by UHPLC-Q-ToF

The presence of some drugs in meat samples can cause threat to human health, therefore, its analysis is highly desirable for food safety purposes. In this work, a solid-phase extraction procedure for the determination of oxprenolol, a non-selective beta-blocker, and such anabolic agents as methandienone and testosterone in beef meat samples has been developed. Extraction conditions were optimized to achieve high sensitivity and accuracy of the results. The procedure was validated using meat samples free from target analytes. As a result, high selectivity and sensitivity were observed with the detection limits between 0.25 and 1.25 ng/g, and the results were not affected by matrix components. The proposed procedure was applied to the analysis of real beef samples purchased in the market, and the results have revealed the presence of contaminated samples. The concentration of oxprenolol in the contaminated sample was 7 ng/g, methandienone content in the sample was 30 ng/g, while testosterone level was 4 ng/g.

Modulation of the dynamics and cellularity of adipose tissues in different fat depots in broilers by dietary dexamethasone

Objective

The objective of this investigation was to determine the effects of dexamethasone (DEX) on the weight and cellularity of abdominal and subcutaneous fat depots.

Materials and Methods

The study was conducted on four broiler chicks (20 chicks per group) fed commercial feed and water ad libitum. The DEX was supplied with feed at 0 mg/kg (non-DEX), 3 mg/kg (DEX-1), 5 mg/kg (DEX-2), and 7 mg/kg (DEX-3) from day 0 to day 28. The entire abdominal and subcutaneous fat depots were collected and weighed after sacrificing five birds from each group on days 14 and 28.

Results

The DEX groups had considerably lower (p < 0.05) fat depot weights with dose-related variation noted among the DEX groups. The histological findings revealed the presence of unilocular, round to oval-shaped adipocytes. The DEX-1 and DEX-2 had way lower (p < 0.05) numbers of adipocytes while the DEX-3 had considerably higher (p < 0.05) numbers of adipocytes than the non-DEX. DEX-1 and DEX-2 had larger (p < 0.05) adipocytes whereas DEX-3 had smaller adipocytes than the non-DEX. Adipocyte sizes and fat depot weights were found to have very strong negative relationships.

Conclusion

Dietary DEX affects the growth and distribution of abdominal and subcutaneous fat depots and adipocyte cellularity subjected to both dose and duration of DEX treatment.