Open AccessEffects of phytonutrients on growth performance, antioxidative status, and energy utilization of broilers fed low energy diets
Author(s) -
Lei Yan,
Shuhong An,
Zunzhou Lv,
Zhengguo Wang,
Yanping Wu,
Yutao Zhu,
Min Zhao,
Chong Sun,
Mingbin Lv,
Zhengpeng Zhu,
Yuming Guo
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
animal nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.356
H-Index - 28
eISSN - 2405-6545
pISSN - 2405-6383
DOI - 10.1016/j.aninu.2019.03.004
Subject(s) - broiler , zoology , biology , feed conversion ratio , energy metabolism , low energy , nutrient , high energy , crypt , body weight , endocrinology , ecology , physics , atomic physics , engineering physics , engineering
Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of phytonutrients (PN) on growth performance, antioxidant status, intestinal morphology, and nutrient utilization of birds fed low energy diets. In Exp. 1, a total of 1,440 one-day-old Ross 308 male broiler chickens were randomly divided into 3 treatment groups, with 16 replicates per treatment (48 pens; 30 birds per pen). Birds in treatment 1 were fed diets with normal energy content (NE). Birds in treatment 2 were fed NE diet but with 60 kcal removed (LE). Birds in treatment 3 were assigned to LE diet supplemented with PN (LE + PN). Results indicated that LE diet increased feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared with NE from d 1 to 38, while LE + PN diet prevented this response ( P = 0.02). At d 26, birds in the LE + PN group had the highest ileal and jejunal villus height to crypt depth (VH:CD) ratio. At d 39, PN supplementation improved ileal and jejunal VH:CD ratio, compared with LE group. Moreover, birds fed PN diets received a better economic profit. In Exp. 2, 360 one-day-old Ross 308 male broiler chickens were used in a metabolism study. The treatments used in Exp. 2 were the same as those in Exp.1, with 4 replicates (pens) and 30 birds in each replicate. Dietary apparent metabolism energy (AME), energy and protein digestibility were determined between 21 and 28 d of age. Results showed that chickens fed LE + PN diet tended to have greater AME ( P = 0.02) and nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolism energy (AMEn) ( P = 0.03) than birds fed LE diets. It was concluded that LE + PN showed a potential advantage to improve feed conversion and gut health of broilers, as well as economic profits.