Performance, HSP70 expression, antioxidant enzymes, oxidative DNA damage biomarkers, metabolic hormones, and intestinal microbiota of broiler chickens fed mistletoe leaf powder supplemented diets under tropical high ambient temperatures.

The study investigated the impact of Mistletoe Leaf Powder (MLP) supplementation on some parameters in heat-stressed broiler chickens. The standard baseline diets, comprising four different formulations, were provided during the starter and finisher stages. Chickens were randomly assigned to the 4 dietary groups: a negative control (CON) with no supplementation, a positive control (VTC) with 200 mg/kg vitamin C, and 2 experimental treatment groups with 2500 mg/kg (MLP2) and 5000 mg/kg (MLP5) MLP supplementation. The Body Weight Gain (BWG) in MLP2 and MLP5 treatment groups was comparable (P > 0.05) to those in VTC, while the CON group exhibited significantly (P < 0.05) lower BWG. Feed consumption was significantly (P < 0.05) lower broiler chickens in the CON group compared to those VTC, MLP2, and MLP5. Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) levels were lower in broiler chickens belonging to VTC, MLP2, and MLP5 groups compared to those in CON, and MLP2 showed no difference (P > 0.05) from MLP5 and VTC. Serum glutathione peroxidase and catalase concentrations were higher (P < 0.05) in birds belonging to MLP5, MLP2, and VTC groups compared to CON. The 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine concentration was lower (P < 0.05) in birds of VTC, MLP2, and MLP5 compared to the CON, with VTC showing the least concentration. Serum insulin levels were higher (P < 0.05) in MLP5 compared to those in CON, while serum triiodothyronine and leptin concentrations were lower (P < 0.05) in CON compared to birds in VTC, MLP2, and MLP5. Microbiota analysis revealed that the Coliform bacteria population was higher (P < 0.05) in birds belonging to CON compared to those in VTC, MLP2, and MLP5 groups, whereas lactic acid-producing bacteria were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in birds of CON and highest in MLP2 and MLP5 groups. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of MLP at 5000 mg/kg enhanced performance, oxidative status, influenced metabolic hormones, and gut microbiota in broiler chickens raised under high ambient temperature.

Neem, pawpaw and bamboo leaf meal dietary supplementation in broiler chickens: Effect on performance and health status.

The effect of the diet supplemented with leaf meals (LM) of neem (NLM), pawpaw (PLM), bamboo (BLM) and their composite leaf mix (CLM) on broiler chickens was assessed. Three hundred 1-day old broiler chickens were distributed to five diets: (control/no LM), (5 g/kg NLM), (5 g/kg PLM), (5 g/kg BLM) and (5 g/kg NLM+PLM+BLM 1:1:1). Body weight gain of birds fed BLM and CLM supplemented diets were similar but higher (p < 0.05) than those fed the control, NLM and PLM supplemented diets at day 42. The glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase and creatinine levels in LM supplemented diets were (p < 0.05) lower compared to the control. The superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase were (p < 0.05) higher in LM supplemented diets compared to the control. The growth promoting potentials of bamboo leaf meal and the composite leaf mix can be harnessed for broiler chicken production. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The use of herbs as the growth promoter is currently gaining research attention in most countries. In particular, herbal supplementation in poultry diets had been proposed as a means of enhancing the performance, stabilizing the physiological state, boosting immunity and antioxidative status in the birds. This study showed that improved body weight gain of broiler chickens at 42 days of age with attendant low serum glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol can be achieved when leaf meals from neem, pawpaw, bamboo and their composite mix were used as phyto-additives. The bamboo leaf meal and the composite leaf meal can be used to reduce the occurrence of arteriosclerosis which predisposes sudden death syndrome in well-grown and healthy broiler chickens. The procedures of raising broiler chickens to reach about 3 kg in less than 2 months impose a heavy burden on the heart, particularly overloading on the ventricular arteries leading to arteriosclerosis with age.

Gliricidia leaf meal and multi-enzyme in rabbits diet: effect on performance, blood indices, serum metabolites and antioxidant status.

BACKGROUND: Following the ban on the importation of import-dependent fed ingredients in most developing countries, the need to look inward for local content is now compelling. Thus, leaf meals that have phytogenic additive potentials are envisaged will be a viable feed ingredient in rabbit diets. METHODS: The effect of dietary inclusion of gliricidia leaf meal (GLM) with or without multi-enzyme (E) supplementation in rabbits was investigated using ninety-six 35-day old rabbits of crossbreed (Newzealand and Chinchilla). One basal diet that met the requirements of growing rabbit was formulated (Diet 1). Thereafter, another two diets were formulated to contain 15% GLM and 15% GLM plus multi-enzyme at 1 g/kg and designated as diets 2 and 3 respectively. The rabbits were randomly distributed into the 3 diets (32 rabbits/treatment; 4 rabbits/replicate) and fed their respective experimental diets for 8 weeks. RESULTS: The body weight and daily weight gain of the rabbits fed on GLM free diet and those on GLM-based diets (diets 1 and 2) were similar at finishing period of 63-91 day but have lower (P < 0.01) values than those rabbits fed GLM + E based diet (diet 3) at finishing period (63-91 days) and whole fattening period (35-91 days). The apparent dry matter and crude protein digestibility of rabbits fed control diet and those fed 15% GLM based diet were lower (P < 0.05) than those fed 15% GLM + E-based diet. Triglycerides concentration of rabbits fed 15% GLM-based diet without enzyme addition were lower (P < 0.05) than those observed for rabbits on the rest test diets. Cholesterol and Low-Density Lipoprotein levels of rabbits fed 15% GLM and 15% GLM + E-based diets were lower (P < 0.05) than those fed the GLM free diet. The superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase of rabbits fed the GLM free diet (diet 1) were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those fed the 15%GLM and 15% GLM + E-based diets. CONCLUSION: Dietary inclusion of GLM at 15% of the diet did not have a negative effect on the rabbits postweaning period (35-63 days) but will require multi-enzyme supplementation to enhance growth indices at finishing period (63-91 day) without precipitating negative effect on the rabbits' health status.