Assessment of probiotic-supplementation on growth performance, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant capacity, and cecal microflora in broiler chickens

Abstract

The aim of this work was to investigate the efficacy of a couple of probiotic lactic acid bacterial isolates, Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis and Lactobacillus plantarum added separately or in combination to broiler diets. The experimental treatments received a basal diet with 22.4% protein and 3,160 kcal/kg. Two hundred and ten 1-day-old Hubbard broilers were allocated in seven experimental groups as follows: Control group and six groups treated by both probiotic strains in drinking water with intended final concentration of 109 cfu/ml and/or 1012 cfu/ml separately or in combination for a period of 42 days and tested on scheduled intervals. Treatment effects on performance of broilers (organs weights) as well as certain serum constituents were determined. The composition of cecal microflora was also evaluated. Probiotic supplementation had no significant effect but some organs had relative weights slightly higher compared to control. However, the relative weight of the thyroid, spleen, and pancreas was significantly increased. Broilers that received both types of probiotic strains separately or in combination had significant decreases (p < 0.05) in both serum alanine aminotransaminase level and malondialdehyde along with a significant increase (p < 0.05) in total antioxidant capacity compared to control. The microbiological analysis indicated that the lactic acid bacterial population boosted predominantly. The total coliform and Salmonella counts were significantly reduced and/or totally eliminated in broiler groups supplemented with probiotics. In conclusion, this study showed that both probiotic lactic acid bacterial strains can be considered as a nutritional source for broiler chickens.