The effect of Echinacea purpurea extract compared to probiotic on growth, immune response and intestinal morphology and microflora of broiler chickens.

Document Type : Full Research Paper

Authors

1 Graduated from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Babol Branch, Islamic Azad University, Babol, Iran

2 Department of Poultry Health and Nutrition, Babol Branch, Islamic Azad University, Babol, Iran

3 Department of microbiology, Babol Branch, Islamic Azad University, Babol, Iran

Abstract

During the last 2 decades, phytogenic compounds have been considered as feed additives that stimulate growth. The aim of this experiment was to study the effects of the addition of Echinacea purpurea extract (EPE) containing phytogenic compounds compared to water-soluble probiotics. Therefore, 220 one-day-old broiler chickens of Ross 308 were examined in the form of a completely randomized design with four experimental groups and five replications. The experimental groups included: 1) control, 2) probiotic, 3) EPE, 4) EPE and probiotic. The total feed intake and growth did not differ between groups 2, 3 and 4, but they were more than the control group (p<0.05). The feed conversion ratio (FCR) of groups 2 and 3 during the growth phase and also from 1 to 42 days was better than the control (p<0.05), also, in this nutritional stage, group 2 had a better FCR than group 4 (P<0.05). The vaccine titer against bronchitis virus was higher in groups 2 and 4 than the control (p<0.05) but it was not different compared to group 3. Serum albumin and glucose of group 4 were higher than other groups (p<0.05). Intestinal morphological indicators, the total bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria count and the heterophil to lymphocytes ratio, serum total protein were not statistically significantly different. The results of this research showed that the addition of EPE as a probiotic can improve growth rate and FCR. The simultaneous use of EPE and probiotics increased serum glucose and albumin and increased vaccine titer.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Veterinary Research & Biological Products

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 23 January 2024

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History

  • Receive Date: 18 November 2023
  • Revise Date: 05 January 2024
  • Accept Date: 22 January 2024

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