Effects of Herbal Adaptogen Feed-Additive on Growth Performance, Carcass Parameters, and Muscle Amino Acid Profile in Heat-Stressed Modern Broilers

Abstract

Heat stress has strong adverse effects on poultry production and, thereby, threats its sustainability, which energized scientists to search for innovative and effective solutions. Here, we undertook this study to evaluate the effects of in-feed herbal adaptogen (stress response modifier) supplementation on growth performances, meat quality, and breast amino acid profile in chronic cyclic heat-stressed broilers. Day-old male Cobb 500 chicks (n = 720) were randomly assigned, in environmental chambers (n = 12, 24 pens), to three diet-treatments: a three-phase corn-soybean based diet fed as such (Control, C), or supplemented with the herbal adaptogen at 500 g/1000 kg control diet (NR-PHY-500) or at 1 kg/1000 kg control diet (NR-PHY-1000). From d29 to d42, birds from 9 chambers were exposed to cyclic heat stress (HS, 35°C from 9:30 am-5:30 pm), however, the rest of the chamber were maintained at thermoneutral conditions (24°C, TN), which creates 4 experimental groups: C-TN, C-HS, NR-PHY-500HS, and NR-PHY-1000HS (6 pens/group, 168 birds/group). HS altered growth performance via depression of feed intake and body weight. Adaptogen supplementation stimulated feed intake and averaged 65.95 and 83.25 g better body weight and 5 and 10 points better FCR at low and high dose, respectively, compared to heat-stressed birds. This increase in body weight was mirrored in enhanced weights of body parts (breast, tender, wings, and legs). Adaptogen supplementation modulated also breast amino acid profile, pH, color, and quality. Together, these data suggested that adaptogen supplementation could be a promising solution to alleviate heat stress, however further in-depth investigation for its mode of action and its underlying mechanisms are warranted.

The study of the effect of drinks based on extracts of herbal adaptogens on the functional status of athletes during physical activity

“…The effect on the work of muscles is carried out through the anabolic effect of adaptogens on the body [36], [37], [38]. The intake of Eleutherococcus and ginseng is accompanied by increased activity of neurotransmitter cells, i.e.…”

The effects of essential oil from Lippia origanoides and herbal betaine on performance, intestinal integrity, bone mineralization and meat quality in broiler chickens subjected to cyclic heat stress

“…Chickens fed EO or betaine exhibit higher carcass yields ( Gumus and Gelen, 2023 ; Pardo et al, 2023 ; Zheng et al, 2023 ). Heat stress reduces carcass yield, increasing leg meat yield at the expense of breast meat yield and meat quality ( Zaboli et al, 2019 ; Greene et al, 2021 ). In this investigation, EO and betaine did not improve chickens' cyclic heat stress severity.…”

Heat Stress Affects Jejunal Immunity of Yellow-Feathered Broilers and Is Potentially Mediated by the Microbiome

“…Due to the global climate change, high ambient temperature (around 32°C) often occurs in chicken houses during summer, thus impairing the health and productivity of broilers and resulting in significant economic losses to producers ( Wasti et al, 2020 ; Greene et al, 2021 ). Although the yellow-feathered broilers have better thermal tolerance than fast-growing broilers due to their slower growth and lower metabolic rate, 32°C is not in the thermoneutral zone of slow-growing broilers, which also causes a series of deleterious consequences for yellow-feathered broilers ( Shao et al, 2018 ; Guo et al, 2021a ; Liu et al, 2021b ).…”