Dietary Lasia spinosa Thw. Improves Growth Performance in Broilers

Area of Science:

• Animal Nutrition and Feed Science
• Poultry Science
• Microbiology and Gut Health

Background:

• Investigating novel feed additives is crucial for enhancing broiler chicken production and health.
• Lasia spinosa Thw. (LST) is a plant with potential medicinal properties, but its effects on poultry require detailed evaluation.
• Understanding the impact of LST on growth, metabolism, and the gut microbiome is essential for its application in animal feed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of dietary Lasia spinosa Thw. (LST) powder supplementation in broiler chickens.
• To assess the effects of LST on growth performance, blood metabolites, antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology, and cecal microbiome composition.
• To determine the optimal inclusion level of LST for broiler chicken diets.

Main Methods:

• A total of 400 male Guangxi partridge broilers were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments: basal diet, or basal diet supplemented with 1%, 2%, or 4% LST powder.
• Growth performance (feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio), blood metabolites (lipids, minerals), antioxidant status (SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, ROS, MDA), intestinal morphology (villus height, crypt depth), and cecal microbiome composition (16S rRNA sequencing) were analyzed.
• Statistical analysis was performed to determine significant differences between treatment groups.

Main Results:

• LST supplementation significantly increased average daily feed intake and average daily gain, while decreasing the feed conversion ratio (p < 0.01).
• Antioxidant status was enhanced, with increased levels of SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px and decreased levels of ROS and MDA in serum, liver, and breast muscle (p < 0.05).
• LST improved lipid profiles (decreased TG, LDL-C; increased HDL-C), mineral levels (Ca, Fe, Mg, P), and intestinal morphology (increased villus height, villus height:crypt depth ratio; decreased crypt depth). Cecal microbiota diversity was modulated, with specific genera linked to improved performance.

Conclusions:

• Dietary supplementation with Lasia spinosa Thw. powder effectively improves growth performance, antioxidant status, blood lipid profile, and intestinal morphology in broiler chickens.
• LST supplementation positively modulates the cecal microbiome, contributing to the observed performance and physiological benefits.
• Lasia spinosa Thw. powder shows promise as a beneficial feed additive for the poultry industry.