Effects of dietary grape proanthocyanidins on the growth performance, jejunum morphology and plasma biochemical indices of broiler chicks

Abstract

Grape proanthocyanidins (GPCs) are a family of naturally derived polyphenols that have aroused interest in the poultry industry due to their versatile role in animal health. This study was conducted to investigate the potential benefits and appropriate dosages of GPCs on growth performance, jejunum morphology, plasma antioxidant capacity and the biochemical indices of broiler chicks. A total of 280 newly hatched male Cobb 500 broiler chicks were randomly allocated into four treatments of seven replicates each, and were fed a wheat-soybean meal-type diet with or without (control group), 7.5, 15 or 30 mg/kg of GPCs. Results show that dietary GPCs decrease the feed conversion ratio and average daily gain from day 21 to day 42, increase breast muscle yield by day 42 and improve jejunum morphology between day 21 and day 42. Chicks fed 7.5 and 15 mg/kg of GPCs show increased breast muscle yield and exhibit improved jejunum morphologies than birds in the control group. Dietary GPCs fed at a level of 15 mg/kg markedly increased total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity between day 21 and day 42, whereas a supplement of GPCs at 7.5 mg/kg significantly increased T-SOD activity and decreased lipid peroxidation malondialdehyde content by day 42. A supplement of 30 mg/kg of GPCs has no effect on antioxidant status but adversely affects the blood biochemical indices, as evidenced by increased creatinine content, increased alkaline phosphatase by day 21 and increased alanine aminotransferase by day 42 in plasma. GPC levels caused quadratic effect on growth, jejunum morphology and plasma antioxidant capacity. The predicted optimal GPC levels for best plasma antioxidant capacity at 42 days was 13 to 15 mg/kg, for best feed efficiency during grower phase was 16 mg/kg, for best jejunum morphology at 42 days was 17 mg/kg. In conclusion, GPCs (fed at a level of 13 to 17 mg/kg) have the potential to be a promising feed additive for broiler chicks.

Effect of the dietary supplementation with extracts of chestnut wood and grape pomace on performance and jejunum response in female and male broiler chickens at different ages

“…In contrast, 6% dietary inclusion of a GP concentrate did not modify performance or diet digestibility but showed antioxidant potential that was as effective as vitamin E in diet, excreta, ileal content, and breast muscle [15]. Other authors evidenced that the dietary supplementation of grape byproducts increased activity of total superoxide dismutase and decreased the content of malondialdehyde in plasma [19] and leg meat [55], whereas this was not observed in the present study when measuring meat TBARs.…”

“…Notably, most of the differences in favor of GP supplementation regarding the overall transcriptomic response appeared in the second period of growth. Overall, this is consistent with the results of Farahat et al [ 73 ] and Yang et al [ 19 ], who observed a time-dependent cumulative effect of dietary supplementation with grape seed extracts and pomace concentrate. However, according to some authors [ 8 , 53 ], the dietary supplementation with tannins (from grape seed and CN extracts) was more effective in younger broilers than in older ones, likely based on their effects on pathogenic microorganisms as well as on commensal microbiota [ 74 , 75 ].…”

“…Modern hybrids are highly precocious, and large sex-differences are observed from the very first days after hatching. Regarding age, animals fed a diet supplemented with a GP concentrate showed differences in performance and gut morphology at the end of an experimental trial, suggesting a time-dependent cumulative effect of tannins [ 19 ]. Humer et al [ 20 ] reported remarkable differences in intestinal histometric and microbial traits between male and female broilers fed with phytogenic additives.…”

Protective Effect of Grape (Vitis vinifera) Seed Powder and Zinc-Glycine Complex on Growth Traits and Gut Health of Broilers Following Eimeria tenella Challenge

“…In a study, Viveros et al [15] reported that poly-phenol-rich grapes enhanced villus dimensions in 21 day-old broiler chickens. Similar to our study, Yang et al [20] suggested that grape proanthocyanidin at the rate of 7.5 and 15 mg/kg improved the jejunum morphology in broilers. Bagchi et al [21] suggested that proanthocyanidin protects the intestinal mucosa from oxidative stress and inhibits pathogenic intestinal microflora, leading to healthy intestines.…”

Proteomics alterations in chicken jejunum caused by 24 h fasting

“…The small intestinal absorptive surface is known to be either positively or negatively affected by various factors: including the environment (Santos et al, 2015; Zhang et al, 2015), feed supplements from various sources (Xu et al, 2003; Laudadio et al, 2012; Yang et al, 2017) pathogenic microbiota and mycotoxin feed contaminants (Jayaraman et al, 2013; Yu et al, 2018). It is already known to be altered by different nutritional conditions (Yamauchi, Kamisoyama & Isshiki, 1996; Bhanja et al, 2009).…”