Effects of Inclusion of Different Doses of Persicaria odorata Leaf Meal (POLM) in Broiler Chicken Feed on Biochemical and Haematological Blood Indicators and Liver Histomorphological Changes

Abstract

This research was conducted to estimate the effects of Persicaria odorata leaf meal (POLM) on haematological indices, serum biochemical attributes, and internal organs parameters, including histomorphological features of the liver, in broiler chickens. A total of 120 one-day-old male broiler chicks (Cobb-500) were randomly allocated into four experimental groups. The dietary treatments were basal diet (BD), which served as the control (C), along with BD + 2 g/kg POLM (Po2), BD + 4 g/kg POLM (Po4), BD + 8 g/kg POLM (Po8), which were the supplemented groups. The body weight gain (BWG) showed a linear increase and feed conversion ratio (FCR) showed a linear decrease with increasing POLM dosage at day 42 (p ˂ 0.05) and for the overall growth performance period (p ˂ 0.01). On day 21 and day 42, the values of red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), haemoglobin (Hb), and packed cell volume (PCV) showed linear increases (p ˂0.05) as the dosage of POLM increased in the diet. On day 21, dietary supplementation of POLM linearly decreased (p ˂ 0.05) the serum activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), and serum levels of urea and creatinine. On the other hand, serum levels of total protein (TP), albumin, and globulin showed a linear increase (p ˂ 0.05) as the POLM dosage increased. On day 42, the serum activity of AST and ALT and serum levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, and creatinine showed linear decreases (p ˂ 0.05) with increased levels of POLM in the diet. However, POLM supplementation linearly increased (p ˂ 0.05) the serum levels of TP and globulin. Dietary inclusion of POLM did not influence the organ parameters and showed no adverse effects on the liver histomorphology. In conclusion, supplementation of POLM increased the growth performance, improving haematological indices and serum biochemistry profiles of broiler chickens without any deleterious effects on the liver histomorphology. The results of the present study provide evidence that POLM can be safely used at a dose rate of 8 g/kg of feed as an alternative to conventional antimicrobial growth promoters (AGPs).

The Role of Supplementing a Complex Phytobiotic Feed Additive Containing (Castanea sativa mill) Extract in Combination with Calcium Butyrate, Zinc–Methionine and Essential Oils on Growth Indicators, Blood Profile and Carcass Quality of Broiler Chickens

“…In terms of the cholesterol content, all animal groups differed, and, with the exception of the groups CPFA 2 and CPFA 4, were higher than in the control ( p > 0.05). The data obtained by us are consistent with the data of Basit et al (2020) [ 66 ], whose study showed that on the 21st day of the supplement, flour from Persicaria odorata leaves did not affect the content of triglycerides and cholesterol in blood serum on the 21st day of cultivation. Opposite results were obtained by Vispute et al (2019) [ 21 ], who reported that dill and hemp seeds significantly reduce serum triglyceride levels during the growth phase.…”

Comparative Efficacy of Selected Phytobiotics with Halquinol and Tetracycline on Gut Morphology, Ileal Digestibility, Cecal Microbiota Composition and Growth Performance in Broiler Chickens

“…The broiler chickens in all groups were reared under the same environmental and managemental conditions. The cyclic temperature in the house ranged between a maximum of 34 • C and a minimum of 24 • C, while the humidity ranged between a maximum of 91% and a minimum of 65% [34]. This study consisted of five dietary groups, and the diets were offered to the birds for 42 days (starter phase day 1-21 and finisher phase day .…”

“…The supplemented diets were the basal diet (BD), which served as the negative control (NC); BD + 0.2 g/kg tetracycline, which served as the positive control (PC); BD + 0.03 g/kg halquinol (HAL), BD + 8 g/kg POLM (Po8), and BD + 4 g/kg PBLM (Pb4), which were the treatment groups. The specific concentrations of diets were selected as earlier reported, PC [47], Po8 and Pb4 [16,34], while HAL as designated by [44]. There was free access to water and feed to the chicks during the entire experimental period, with continuous lighting.…”

“…There was free access to water and feed to the chicks during the entire experimental period, with continuous lighting. The vaccination and brooding of the birds were conducted according to [34].…”

“…Another essential herb is Persicaria odorata of the Polygonaceae family, and it is well distributed in Asia, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Brunei, known as "daun kesum" or "daun laska" [31]. This herb possesses various properties, including antimicrobial [32], antioxidant [33], and growth promoting [34]. The dried ground leaves of P. odorata contain 3.5% crude protein, 0.83% crude fat, 10.66% crude fibre, and 1.83% ash [35].…”