Growth Performance, Histological Changes and Functional Tests of Broiler Chickens Fed Diets Supplemented with Tribulus Terrestris Powder

Abstract

The current experiment aimed to investigate the effects of TT powder on performance parameters and functional tests, as well as on morphological and histological changes in the liver, kidney and ileum in broiler chickens. Commercial broilers (total = 168 females) were used, equally divided into three dietary treatments (C = 0.0, T1 = 0.75, and T2 = 1.5 g/kg diet). The growth performance (1–35 days of age), absolute and relative weight, liver and kidney functional tests, intestinal morphology (14 and 35 days of age), and histomorphology of the ileum (35 days of age) were evaluated. At 35 days of age, histopathological changes in the ileum, liver, and kidney were also examined. The results showed that the growth performance and absolute and relative weights of the liver and kidney had no negative effects when dietary supplementation with TT powder was given at 0.75 g/kg diet (T1), whereas a decrease was observed at T2 (p < 0.05). Liver and kidney functional tests showed no significant effects in all feed treatments (14 days), while T1 showed lower (p < 0.05) ALT and AST levels (35 days). T1 exhibited higher weights, lengths, and weight-to-length ratios of the small intestine, and relative lengths of the duodenum (p < 0.05). Histomorphometric measurements of the ileum were higher (p < 0.05) in chickens fed the 0.75 g TT/kg diet, and except for in the goblet cell count and epithelial thickness, there were no differences between treatments (p > 0.05). In T1, hepatocytes were more normal but hepatic sinusoids were dilated, whereas in T2, lymphocytes had infiltrated around the central vein and lining endothelial cells had been lost. The kidney was improved in T1 and T2 compared with the control group. Ileal villi were shorter in T2, and some villi fused with enterocyte necrosis and inflammatory cells accumulated in the lumen. We concluded that TT powder (0.75 g/kg feed) has a safe effect and is healthy for broilers.

Impacts of Dietary Lysine and Crude Protein on Performance, Hepatic and Renal Functions, Biochemical Parameters, and Histomorphology of Small Intestine, Liver, and Kidney in Broiler Chickens

“…The duodenal histomorphology of the control broilers was consistent with previous studies [ 44 , 45 ]. Earlier studies have reported that as villus length and width improve, both the digestive and absorptive activities of the small intestine augment with a resultant increase in the absorptive surface area, the expression of brush border enzymes, nutrient transport, and body weight [ 44 , 45 ].…”

“…The duodenal histomorphology of the control broilers was consistent with previous studies [ 44 , 45 ]. Earlier studies have reported that as villus length and width improve, both the digestive and absorptive activities of the small intestine augment with a resultant increase in the absorptive surface area, the expression of brush border enzymes, nutrient transport, and body weight [ 44 , 45 ]. The improvement in the growth performance of the broiler chickens fed the Gr1 diet was supported by duodenal histomorphology which revealed longer and wider duodenal villi in the Gr1 broilers than in the control group, whereas the other treatment groups showed shorter villi and slowed growth rates.…”

“…The improvement in the growth performance of the broiler chickens fed the Gr1 diet was supported by duodenal histomorphology which revealed longer and wider duodenal villi in the Gr1 broilers than in the control group, whereas the other treatment groups showed shorter villi and slowed growth rates. The consumption of the Gr2 diet resulted in a reduction in the length, width, and, thus, the surface area of villi compared with the Gr1 diet, which may be due to the suppression of beneficial intestinal microbiota [ 44 ], therefore resulting in a slowed growth performance. Previous reports have shown pathological lesions and alterations in the intestinal villi based on the type of diet in different animal species.…”

Using Natural Zeolite as a Feed Additive in Broilers’ Diets for Enhancing Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Meat Quality Traits

“…The birds were fed starter (0-21 days) and finisher (22-35 days) diets (Table 1) based on corn and soybean meal (SBM); diets were formulated in a mashed form. However, consistent with previous studies, in this study the feeding program was a starter at 0-14 days [29][30][31] and a finisher at 15-35 days [29,31]. In another study, a starter diet was fed from day 1 to day 21, and a finisher diet was fed from day 22 to day 35 of the experiment [32].…”