The combination of quillaja and yucca saponins in broilers: effects on performance, nutrient digestibility and ileal morphometrics

Abstract

1. Two series of studies were conducted to determine the effects of a combination of ground plant material derived from Quillaja saponaria trees and Yucca schidigera plants (QY) as sources of saponin, on performance, productivity, nutrient digestibility and ileal morphology of growing broilers. In each trial, 480 Cobb male birds were allocated equally to 24 pens at one-day-of-age according to body weight 2. The studies consisted of two identical floor pen trials in which performance and nutrient digestibility were assessed and two trials where performance and ileal morphology were determined. In each trial, 0, 250 or 500 ppm QY were included in feed given to the broilers from 1-35 or 1-42 d of age, respectively. Eight (digestibility) or 12 (morphology) randomised replicate pens were used. 3. In the digestibility trials, two birds per pen were moved to metabolism cages at d 21. Excreta was collected for a five-day period (d 21 to 25) for the determination of apparent total tract digestibility of dry and organic matter, fat and ash and nitrogen retention. For intestinal morphology, ileal segments were collected from four birds/pen on d 21 to determine villus height and crypt depth. Performance data were collected in each trial series. 4. Results showed that feeding graded levels of QY produced significant linear improvements in performance and productivity at d 35, and similar linear effects were observed for N retention and all apparent digestibility measurements. Morphology data showed that birds receiving 250 and 500 ppm QY had significantly increased villus height 5. These results indicated that QY exerted a positive influence on the intestinal tract by increasing the absorptive surface and improving nutrient digestibility. These effects were considered to be associated with the performance improvements recorded in both experiments.

Assessments of productive performance, eggshell quality, excreta moisture, and incubation traits of laying breeder hens fed a proprietary blend of Quillaja and Yucca

“…Improvements on nutrient digestibility in challenged or non-challenged broilers were previously reported when QY biomass was used ( 8 , 10 , 12 ). Bafundo et al ( 12 ) observed improvements on ileal digestibility of DM, N, ash, and energy of 25-day-old broiler chickens fed 250 or 500 g/ton QY product.…”

“…Improvements on nutrient digestibility in challenged or non-challenged broilers were previously reported when QY biomass was used ( 8 , 10 , 12 ). Bafundo et al ( 12 ) observed improvements on ileal digestibility of DM, N, ash, and energy of 25-day-old broiler chickens fed 250 or 500 g/ton QY product. Stefanello et al ( 8 ) also reported that DM, N, and energy digestibility increased in 42-day-old broilers fed 250 g/ton QY when compared to the non-supplemented diet.…”

“…The use of this additive in diets for broilers resulted in increased body weight gain and improved feed conversion, which was accompanied by greater ileal digestibility of dry matter, energy, and nitrogen as well as greater villus height and improved intestinal permeability ( 8 ). Additionally, the beneficial effects of Quillaja and Yucca for broilers have been previously reported to reduce the negative effects of necrotic enteritis, having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects ( 9 – 12 ), and decreasing ammonia and moisture excretion ( 13 , 14 ).…”

The effects of a quillaja and yucca combination on performance and carcass traits of coccidia-vaccinated broilers exposed to an enteric disease challenge

“…Whether this response is an effect of diminished coccidial cycling ( Bafundo et al., 2021a ), better nutrient utilization or a combination of both factors has not been determined, but further experimentation holds promise for a reasonable explanation of these effects. Along these same lines, QY has been shown to improve the apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, fat, and ash, and to increase nitrogen retention of growing broilers ( Bafundo et al., 2021c ). These findings help to explain the improvements in performance and carcass yield of the disease-challenged coccidial vaccinates shown in the current study and add additional support to the intestinal benefits of QY in the growing broiler.…”

Effects of Yucca schidigera extract on serum biochemical parameters, humoral immune response, and intestinal health in young pigeons

“…In this study, orally supplemental 10 and 15 mg YSE decreased serum T-CHO concentration in young pigeons, which is consistent with previous studies. In addition, it was reported that dietary supplemental YSE could increase the villus height and the villus height/crypt depth ratio of the intestine in broiler chickens ( 30 , 47 ). Our current study showed that orally supplemental YSE increased the villus height in the jejunum, and reduced the crypt depth in the ileum.…”