Meta-Analysis of Butyric Acid: a Performance-Enhancing Additive to Replace Antibiotics for Broiler Chickens

Butyric acid has been studied and utilized intensively in broiler chicken production in order to substitute growth-promoting antibiotics. However, the comprehensive literature on this topic makes it difficult to understand overall results, since there is a noticeable number of studies with conflicting conclusions. Although several research studies have shown that butyric acid may increment broiler chicken's performance, several other studies show the opposite. This work aimed to organize information to understand, through a meta-analysis, whether butyric acid can be used as a performance-enhancing additive for broiler chickens, and whether it can replace growth-promoting antibiotics. It was clear from the results that the effect of butyric acid depends on the microbiological challenge that broilers receive. When broilers are raised without health challenge, butyric acid and even antibiotics do not influence growth performance. However, when broilers are challenged, butyric acid provided an increase in weight gain and a significant improvement in feed conversion, matching the results of antibiotics. We conclude that butyric acid improves broiler performance and can be used to replace growth-promoting antibiotics.(AU)

Different N6: N3 Ratios on Performance, Egg Quality, and Health of 81-Week-Old Laying Hens

This study aimed to evaluate different n6:n3ratios on performance, serum biochemical variables, and egg quality in 81-week-old laying hens. A total of 224 laying hens, 81-week-old Hysex White, were utilized and distributed in a completely randomized design consisting of seven treatments and eight replications of four birds per cage, totaling 56 cages. The experimental treatments consisted of seven different n6:n3fatty acid ratios: 1.0:1.0, 2.0:1.0, 4.0:1.0, 8.0:1.0, 16.0:1.0, 32.0:1.0, and 64.0:1.0. For diet formulation, sunflower oil, rich in omega-6, and linseed oil, rich in omega-3, were used. Productive performance, egg quality and serum biochemical variables of laying hens were evaluated at the end of the cycle at 26, 27, and 28 days. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted and orthogonal contrasts were used to obtain the sum of squares of the treatment of the analysis of variance in polynomial regression effects. Egg quality variables did not vary significantly between the diets. Therefore, diet supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids at different ratios was possible without altering egg quality. The only exception was Haugh unit, which displayed a quadratic effect indicating that the best value was the n6:n3ratio of 32, according to data significance. It was concluded that an increase in n6:n3ratios decreases laying hens' feed intake. The n6:n3 ratio of 34.64 provides greater eggs' Haugh units, decreasing from that value on. The ratios of n6:n3 did not influence the hens' serum biochemical variables.(AU)

Isolated and combined organic acids in diets of broiler chickens challenged with Eimeria acervulina / [Ácidos orgânicos isolados ou associados em dietas de frangos de corte desafiados com Eimeria acervulina]

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of isolated or combined citric and benzoic acids added to the diets of broiler chickens on performance, allometry of the digestive system organs, intestinal pH and quantity of microorganisms in the jejunum. A total of 840 male Cobb broiler chicks were utilized, distributed in a complete random design in 2 × 2 factorial scheme, supplemented or not with citric acid, and sodium benzoate, with seven replications. At 14 days old, 1mL of a solution containing 1 × 105 sporulated oocysts of Eimeria acervulina per bird was inoculated orally. There was no effect of the acids on the broiler's performance in the 1 to 21-day period. In the total period (1 to 42 days), the broilers fed with a blend of citric and benzoic acid presented greater feed intake, without increment in weight gain. The data of allometry of the digestive system organs and the jejunal pH values were not influenced by the treatments. The citric acid increased the bacterial quantity of gram-positive coccus and total anaerobes in the jejunum. Under the conditions of the present study, we conclude that the citric and benzoic acids, isolated or combined, do not benefit the nutrition of broilers challenged with E. acervulina.(AU)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da inclusão isolada ou associada dos ácidos cítrico e benzoico na alimentação de frangos de corte sobre o desempenho, a alometria de órgãos do sistema digestório, o pH intestinal e a quantidade de microrganismos no jejuno. Foram utilizados 840 pintos de corte, machos, da linhagem Cobb, distribuídos num delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 2 × 2, com suplementação ou não de ácido cítrico e suplementação ou não de benzoato de sódio, com sete repetições. Aos 14 dias de idade, foi inoculado, via oral, 1mL de solução contendo 1 × 105 oocistos esporulados de Eimeria acervulina por ave. Não houve efeito dos ácidos sobre o desempenho dos frangos no período de um a 21 dias. No período total (um a 42 dias), os frangos alimentados com a mistura de ácidos cítrico e benzoico apresentaram maior consumo de ração, sem incremento no ganho de peso. Os dados de alometria dos órgãos do sistema digestório e os valores de pH do jejuno não foram influenciados pelos tratamentos. O ácido cítrico aumentou a quantidade de bactérias do gênero cocos Gram positivos e anaeróbios totais no jejuno. Nas condições do presente estudo, conclui-se que os ácidos cítrico e benzoico, isolados ou associados, não beneficiam a nutrição de frangos de corte desafiados com E. acervulina.(AU)

Isolated and combined organic acids in diets of broiler chickens challenged with Eimeria acervulina / [Ácidos orgânicos isolados ou associados em dietas de frangos de corte desafiados com Eimeria acervulina]

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of isolated or combined citric and benzoic acids added to the diets of broiler chickens on performance, allometry of the digestive system organs, intestinal pH and quantity of microorganisms in the jejunum. A total of 840 male Cobb broiler chicks were utilized, distributed in a complete random design in 2 × 2 factorial scheme, supplemented or not with citric acid, and sodium benzoate, with seven replications. At 14 days old, 1mL of a solution containing 1 × 105 sporulated oocysts of Eimeria acervulina per bird was inoculated orally. There was no effect of the acids on the broiler's performance in the 1 to 21-day period. In the total period (1 to 42 days), the broilers fed with a blend of citric and benzoic acid presented greater feed intake, without increment in weight gain. The data of allometry of the digestive system organs and the jejunal pH values were not influenced by the treatments. The citric acid increased the bacterial quantity of gram-positive coccus and total anaerobes in the jejunum. Under the conditions of the present study, we conclude that the citric and benzoic acids, isolated or combined, do not benefit the nutrition of broilers challenged with E. acervulina.(AU)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da inclusão isolada ou associada dos ácidos cítrico e benzoico na alimentação de frangos de corte sobre o desempenho, a alometria de órgãos do sistema digestório, o pH intestinal e a quantidade de microrganismos no jejuno. Foram utilizados 840 pintos de corte, machos, da linhagem Cobb, distribuídos num delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 2 × 2, com suplementação ou não de ácido cítrico e suplementação ou não de benzoato de sódio, com sete repetições. Aos 14 dias de idade, foi inoculado, via oral, 1mL de solução contendo 1 × 105 oocistos esporulados de Eimeria acervulina por ave. Não houve efeito dos ácidos sobre o desempenho dos frangos no período de um a 21 dias. No período total (um a 42 dias), os frangos alimentados com a mistura de ácidos cítrico e benzoico apresentaram maior consumo de ração, sem incremento no ganho de peso. Os dados de alometria dos órgãos do sistema digestório e os valores de pH do jejuno não foram influenciados pelos tratamentos. O ácido cítrico aumentou a quantidade de bactérias do gênero cocos Gram positivos e anaeróbios totais no jejuno. Nas condições do presente estudo, conclui-se que os ácidos cítrico e benzoico, isolados ou associados, não beneficiam a nutrição de frangos de corte desafiados com E. acervulina.(AU)