The effects of dietary ellagic acid supplementation on growth performance, immune response, antioxidant activity, digestive enzyme activities, and intestinal functions in yellow-feathered broilers.

Broilers are susceptible to physiological stress under the environment of faster growth that may cause growth retardation, and this problem has inspired the research in alternative managements and dietary strategies to control the incidence and severity. Due to the consumer preference for natural products, the application of polyphenol compound has been increasing in appeal. Our study was conducted to determine if ellagic acid (EA, a natural four-ring polyphenol compound) added in the diet of broilers during the 1st day to 56th day may contribute to supporting growth performance, immune response, antioxidant activity, digestive enzyme activities, and intestinal functions in yellow-feathered broilers. Broilers were given a corn-soybean meal basal diet supplemented with 0, 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg EA. Our results indicated that supplementation with 200 or 400 mg/kg EA could improve anti-oxidant status, immune response, and digestive enzyme activities, which ultimately enhance growth performance. The beneficial effects for hosts associated with EA were not only due to the protective effects on the overall health and the digestion and absorption capacity, but also due to the enhanced gut health by suppressing the pathogenic bacteria via stimulating the secretion of intestinal short chain fatty acid and maintaining the integrity of intestinal barrier by decreasing intestinal permeability, which finally led to the improved health status of yellow-feathered broilers. This study demonstrated that EA has a certain protective effect on yellow-feathered broilers.