Lysolecithins improved growth performance, nutrient digestibility, immunity, and antioxidant ability in broiler chickens.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with lysolecithins (LPC) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, immunity, and liver health in broiler chickens. METHODS: A cohort of 240 one-day-old male Arbor Acres broilers of comparable weight was divided into four treatment groups, each comprising six replicates of 10 birds. The groups were defined as follows positive control with recommended metabolizable energy (PC+ME), negative control with 90 kcal/kg reduced ME (NC+ME), PC supplemented with 300 mg/kg LPC (PC+LPC), and NC supplemented with 300 mg/kg LPC (NC+LPC). RESULTS: LPC supplementation led to a statistically significant reduction in the feed conversion ratio (p = 0.05) and a decrease in the proportion of abdominal fat and the liver (p<0.05). Digestibility of dry matter was also enhanced (p<0.05). Malondialdehyde concentrations in the liver were significantly reduced by LPC (p<0.01), with a noteworthy interaction between energy levels and LPC affecting this reduction (p<0.05). Serum levels of interleukin-6 were reduced on day 21, and both endotoxin and interleukin-6 levels were lower on day 42. Notably, a significant interaction was observed between the energy levels and LPC on relative liver weight and endotoxin concentrations in the serum (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The study concluded that LPC positively affects growth performance, nutrient digestibility, immune response, and antioxidative capacity in broiler chickens, affirming its value as a beneficial feed additive in poultry nutrition.