Evaluation of bee venom as a novel feed additive in fast-growing broilers

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Poultry Nutrition
• Immunology

Background:

• Antibiotic use in poultry production raises concerns regarding antimicrobial resistance.
• There is a growing need for safe and effective alternatives to antibiotics in animal feed.
• Bee venom (BV) possesses various bioactive compounds with potential therapeutic properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate purified bee venom (BV) as a potential antibiotic alternative in broiler chickens.
• To determine the effects of different dietary levels of BV on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and gut health.
• To assess the impact of dietary BV on immune parameters and meat quality.

Main Methods:

• Broiler chickens were fed diets supplemented with varying concentrations of BV (0, 10, 50, 100, 500 μg/kg).
• Growth performance, feed conversion ratio, and carcass yields were measured.
• Intestinal morphology, meat quality parameters (L* value), and serum/ileal immune markers (sIgA, nitric oxide) were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Dietary BV significantly improved feed conversion ratio and body weight gain.
• Higher BV levels reduced relative organ weights (spleen, bursa, liver) but increased relative breast meat yield.
• BV supplementation enhanced ileal mucosal sIgA, altered intestinal morphology, and improved meat lightness (L* value).

Conclusions:

• Dietary bee venom demonstrates significant in vivo biological activities in broiler chickens.
• BV can be incorporated into broiler feed to promote growth and enhance animal health, serving as a viable antibiotic alternative.
• Further research into the specific mechanisms of BV action in poultry is warranted.