Effects of conjugated linoleic acids on growth performance, serum lysozyme activity, lymphocyte proliferation,and antibody production in broiler chicks

The beneficial impacts of nano-propolis liposomes as an anti-stressor agent on broiler chickens kept under cyclic heat stress

This research assessed the impacts of dietary nano-propolis liposomes (NPRL) inclusion on the growth, blood biochemical components, immune function, and oxidative status of broilers exposed to cyclic heat stress (HS). Birds were fed with a basal diet supplemented with various levels of NPRL at 0 (HS), 100 (NPRL100), 250 (NPRL250) and 400 (NPRL400) mg/kg diets. Diets supplemented with NPRL significantly improved the growth indices and feed utilization, hemoglobin and red blood cells (P < 0.01). White blood cells, lymphocytes and monocytes were significantly decreased by NPRL inclusion (P < 0.001). Dietary supplementation of 250 or 400 mg of NPRL /kg reduced the pathogenic bacteria counts (Salmonella, E. coli and Enterococci) (P < 0.01). The birds fed diets with NPRL (400 mg/kg diet) significantly downregulated the mRNA IFNγ gene (p < 0.001), while both groups (NPRL100 and NPRL250) had similar results (P > 0.05). The iNOS gene was significantly decreased by the dietary NPRL inclusion in a dose-dependent manner. Birds in NRPL groups had inferior levels of the mRNA of interleukin-4 and tumor necrosis factor genes. The lysosome activity was significantly reduced by dietary 250 or 400 mg of NPRL inclusion (P < 0.001). Birds in NPRL250 and NPRL100 had greater IgG (P < 0.05) than the other groups. Regarding oxidative-related biomarkers, dietary NPRL inclusion decreased myeloperoxidase and malondialdehyde levels significantly compared to those with the HS group (P < 0.001). Broilers in the NPRL400 group had the lowest levels of total bilirubin and gamma-glutamyl transferase. NPRL250 had the lowest values of urea compared with other groups (P < 0.001). Dietary NPRL inclusion improved the broiler's hepatic and intestinal architecture exposed to cyclic heat stress. These results indicate that employing NPRL in the diets of stressed broilers can enhance heat resistance by enhancing blood metabolites and immunity, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.

Effect of Gan Cao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch) polysaccharide on Growth Performance, Immune Function, and Gut microflora of Broiler Chickens

Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch, also called Gan Cao, is a commonly prescribed herb in traditional Chinese medicine. Gan Cao is associated with immune-modulation and antitumor potential though its mechanism of action is not well-known. To explore the effects of different dietary levels of Gan Cao polysaccharide (GCP) on broilers, a total of 400 Avian broiler chickens were randomly divided into 4 groups with 10 replicates of 10 broilers each. The broilers in the control group were fed a basal diet, while those in the experimental groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% GCP, respectively, for 42 d. The results showed a significant increase in the growth performance in the GCP groups. The antibody titer of NDV and the phagocytosis index was higher in the birds with GCP treatment than in the control group, with the 1% GCP addition displaying the highest titer. The Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria count in the cecum content of the birds in the 1% GCP group was higher compared to the other groups. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with GCP had a substantial impact on the growth performance, immune response, and microflora population in the cecum of the birds, especially at a level of 1% addition.