Zootechnical Additives Associated with Antimicrobials: Effects on Immune Response and Intestinal Histomorphometry in Broiler Chickens
This study evaluated the effects of zootechnical additives in combination with antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) on broiler performance, leukocyte differential activity, phagocytic activity, intestinal histomorphometry, and the inside index. A total of 1400 one-day-old Cobb 500 male chicks were ass...
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2025-06-01
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| author | Kenes Leonel de Morais Castro Nilton Rohloff Júnior Elaine Talita Santos Jean Kaique Valentim Rodrigo Garófallo Garcia Giancarlo Rieger Sarah Sgavioli |
| author_facet | Kenes Leonel de Morais Castro Nilton Rohloff Júnior Elaine Talita Santos Jean Kaique Valentim Rodrigo Garófallo Garcia Giancarlo Rieger Sarah Sgavioli |
| author_sort | Kenes Leonel de Morais Castro |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study evaluated the effects of zootechnical additives in combination with antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) on broiler performance, leukocyte differential activity, phagocytic activity, intestinal histomorphometry, and the inside index. A total of 1400 one-day-old Cobb 500 male chicks were assigned to a completely randomized design with seven treatments and eight replicates of 25 birds per unit. The treatments included a basal diet without AGPs, a basal diet with AGPs, and AGPs combined with different zootechnical additives: prebiotics (fructooligosaccharides, galactooligosaccharides, beta-glucans, and mannan-oligosaccharides), probiotics (<i>Bacillus subtilis</i> LFU160), essential oils (cashew nut shell liquid), and organic acids (butyric acid glycerides). The results showed the treatments combining AGPs and zootechnical additives had better effects (<i>p</i> < 0.05) on weight gain, feed intake, the feed conversion ratio, and the productive efficiency index. The phagocytic activity was worse in birds without AGPs and with AGPs but without additives. However, birds that received AGPs in combination with zootechnical additives exhibited a poorer intestinal histomorphometry and lower inside index compared to those fed only AGPs or diets without AGPs. In conclusion, zootechnical additives can be used alongside AGPs to enhance broiler performance and immune function, particularly during early growth stages, with essential oils showing the most promising results. |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
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| series | Veterinary Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-ce89e283f8e944a793921f48dcd621292025-08-20T03:26:56ZengMDPI AGVeterinary Sciences2306-73812025-06-0112658110.3390/vetsci12060581Zootechnical Additives Associated with Antimicrobials: Effects on Immune Response and Intestinal Histomorphometry in Broiler ChickensKenes Leonel de Morais Castro0Nilton Rohloff Júnior1Elaine Talita Santos2Jean Kaique Valentim3Rodrigo Garófallo Garcia4Giancarlo Rieger5Sarah Sgavioli6Postgraduate Program in Animal Production (PMPPA), Brazil University, Av. Hilário de Silva Passos, 950, Parque Universitário, Descalvado, São Paulo 13690-000, BrazilPostgraduate Program in Animal Science (PPGCA), Western Paraná State University (UNIOESTE), Rua Pernambuco, 1777, Centro, Marechal Cândido Rondon 85960-000, BrazilPostgraduate Program in Animal Science (PPGCA), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Access Route Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, s/n, Jaboticabal, São Paulo 14884-900, BrazilDepartment of Animal Production (DPA), Institute of Animal Science, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Zona Rural, BR-465, Km 7, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro 23890-000, BrazilFaculty of Agricultural Sciences (FCA), Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), Rodovia Dourados-Itahum, Km 12, Cidade Universitária, Dourados 79804-970, BrazilPostgraduate Program in Animal Production (PMPPA), Brazil University, Av. Hilário de Silva Passos, 950, Parque Universitário, Descalvado, São Paulo 13690-000, BrazilGraduate Program in Animal Science (PPGCA), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR), Rua Imaculada Conceição, 1155, Prado Velho, Curitiba 80215-901, BrazilThis study evaluated the effects of zootechnical additives in combination with antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) on broiler performance, leukocyte differential activity, phagocytic activity, intestinal histomorphometry, and the inside index. A total of 1400 one-day-old Cobb 500 male chicks were assigned to a completely randomized design with seven treatments and eight replicates of 25 birds per unit. The treatments included a basal diet without AGPs, a basal diet with AGPs, and AGPs combined with different zootechnical additives: prebiotics (fructooligosaccharides, galactooligosaccharides, beta-glucans, and mannan-oligosaccharides), probiotics (<i>Bacillus subtilis</i> LFU160), essential oils (cashew nut shell liquid), and organic acids (butyric acid glycerides). The results showed the treatments combining AGPs and zootechnical additives had better effects (<i>p</i> < 0.05) on weight gain, feed intake, the feed conversion ratio, and the productive efficiency index. The phagocytic activity was worse in birds without AGPs and with AGPs but without additives. However, birds that received AGPs in combination with zootechnical additives exhibited a poorer intestinal histomorphometry and lower inside index compared to those fed only AGPs or diets without AGPs. In conclusion, zootechnical additives can be used alongside AGPs to enhance broiler performance and immune function, particularly during early growth stages, with essential oils showing the most promising results.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/6/581organic acidessential oilprebioticprobioticintestinal health |
| spellingShingle | Kenes Leonel de Morais Castro Nilton Rohloff Júnior Elaine Talita Santos Jean Kaique Valentim Rodrigo Garófallo Garcia Giancarlo Rieger Sarah Sgavioli Zootechnical Additives Associated with Antimicrobials: Effects on Immune Response and Intestinal Histomorphometry in Broiler Chickens Veterinary Sciences organic acid essential oil prebiotic probiotic intestinal health |
| title | Zootechnical Additives Associated with Antimicrobials: Effects on Immune Response and Intestinal Histomorphometry in Broiler Chickens |
| title_full | Zootechnical Additives Associated with Antimicrobials: Effects on Immune Response and Intestinal Histomorphometry in Broiler Chickens |
| title_fullStr | Zootechnical Additives Associated with Antimicrobials: Effects on Immune Response and Intestinal Histomorphometry in Broiler Chickens |
| title_full_unstemmed | Zootechnical Additives Associated with Antimicrobials: Effects on Immune Response and Intestinal Histomorphometry in Broiler Chickens |
| title_short | Zootechnical Additives Associated with Antimicrobials: Effects on Immune Response and Intestinal Histomorphometry in Broiler Chickens |
| title_sort | zootechnical additives associated with antimicrobials effects on immune response and intestinal histomorphometry in broiler chickens |
| topic | organic acid essential oil prebiotic probiotic intestinal health |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/6/581 |
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