Effects of phytosterol supplementation on growth performance, serum lipid, proinflammatory cytokines, intestinal morphology, and meat quality of white feather broilers

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary phytosterol ( PS ) addition at different levels on growth performance, serum lipid, proinflammatory cytokines, intestinal morphology, and meat quality in broilers. A total of 600, 1-day-old male broilers were allocated into five groups with six replicates and were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0 (control group), 10, 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg PS for 42 days. Compared with the control group, the administration of PS at doses of 40 and 80 mg/kg significantly increased the average daily feed intake and average daily gain of broilers during the experimental period. Similarly, PS at a dosage of 20 and 40 mg/kg increased the concentrations of interleukin-1β, interferon-γ, interleukin-2, and interleukin-6 but decreased triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol content of serum ( P < 0.05). Dietary PS at less than or equal to 40 mg/kg level increased ( P < 0.05) villus height, and villus height to crypt depth ratio in the duodenum and ileum. Supplementing PS increased the pH value at 45 min post-mortem and decreased drip loss and shear force of breast muscle ( P < 0.05). Dietary PS administration at 20 and 40 mg/kg decreased malondialdehyde accumulation but increased total antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase activity of breast muscle compared with the control group ( P < 0.05). PS increased the concentrations of total amino acids and flavor amino acids as well as eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and total polyunsaturated fatty acids but decreased saturated fatty acids in breast muscle ( P < 0.05). It was concluded that dietary PS supplementation, especially at 40 mg/kg, could improve growth performance, serum lipid, proinflammatory cytokines, intestinal morphology, and meat quality in broilers, providing insights into its application as a potential feed additive in broiler production.

An evaluation of graded levels of beta-sitosterol supplementation on growth performance, antioxidant status, and intestinal permeability-related parameters and morphology in broiler chickens at an early age

“…This result was consistent with an earlier finding of Cheng et al (2019) . The improved feed utilization efficiency resulting from BS administration observed in this study could be explained by the increased nutrient digestibility, elevated pancreatic and small intestinal digestive enzyme activities, improved antioxidant capacity and immune function, and the better intestinal morphology, as reported previously ( Hu et al, 2017a , b ; Cheng et al, 2019 , 2020 ; Zhao et al, 2019 ; Ding et al, 2021 ; Yuan et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Up to date, multiple studies have investigated the consequences of dietary administration with different levels of phytosterol on growth performance of different animal species including poultry ( Zhao et al, 2019 ; Ding et al, 2021 ; Yuan et al, 2021 ), swine ( Hu et al, 2017a , b ), and aquatic animals ( Couto et al, 2014 ; He et al, 2022 ), but the used phytosterol in these studies is almost a kind of phytosterol mixture varying in compositions, rather than a single phytosterol source. As for broilers, Ding et al (2021) have reported that the administration of phytosterol at the doses of 40 and 80 mg/kg significantly increased feed intake and weight gain in white-feathered broilers.…”

“…Up to date, multiple studies have investigated the consequences of dietary administration with different levels of phytosterol on growth performance of different animal species including poultry ( Zhao et al, 2019 ; Ding et al, 2021 ; Yuan et al, 2021 ), swine ( Hu et al, 2017a , b ), and aquatic animals ( Couto et al, 2014 ; He et al, 2022 ), but the used phytosterol in these studies is almost a kind of phytosterol mixture varying in compositions, rather than a single phytosterol source. As for broilers, Ding et al (2021) have reported that the administration of phytosterol at the doses of 40 and 80 mg/kg significantly increased feed intake and weight gain in white-feathered broilers. In agreement with this finding, Zhao et al (2019) have shown that dietary supplementation with phytosterol quadratically increased ADG of Partridge Shank chickens during the grower and overall periods, but linearly decreased FCR during the starter period, with its beneficial effects being more pronounced, when its supplemental level was 50 mg/kg.…”

“…China), with a purity of approximately 99%. The supplemental levels of BS used in this study were selected according to the available findings relevant to the evaluation of phytosterol mixture in broiler chickens' diets ( Zhao et al, 2019 ; Ding et al, 2021 ; Yuan et al, 2021 ). To ensure its uniform mixing, the BS power with good flowability was firstly mixed thoroughly with corn gluten meal in a small double screw cone mixer until homogeneous prior to feed preparation.…”

“…Aside from cholesterol-lowering effects, cumulative clinical and experimental evidence has confirmed multiple biological activities of phytosterols, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, and gut- and liver-protective properties ( Othman and Moghadasian, 2011 ; Shahzad et al, 2017 ; Plat et al, 2019 ; Feng et al, 2020a ). Phytosterols have been incorporated in animal diets as feed additives for both poultry and livestock animals, and available literature has recently shown that dietary supplementation with phytosterols improved growth performance, lipid metabolism, digestive function, antioxidant status, immune response, intestinal morphology, and meat quality in broiler chickens and/or piglets ( Hu et al, 2017a , b ; Zhao et al, 2019 ; Ding et al, 2021 ; Yuan et al, 2021 ). Although these beneficial effects have been reported, several studies have found that phytosterols administration actually exerted no or limited positive effects in animals ( Liu et al, 2010 ; Li et al, 2015a ; Feng et al, 2020b ).…”