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Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John's Wort) in broilers diet improve growth performance, intestinal microflora and
Ziya İlhan1, Muhittin Zengin2, Oğuz Koray Bacaksız3
1Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Cagıs Campus, Balıkesir University, Altıeylül, Balıkesir 10100, Türkiye.
Poultry Science
|October 20, 2024
Summary
St. John's Wort extract (HPE) significantly improved broiler chick growth, gut bacteria, and immunity. The optimal dose of 4.5 mL/kg HPE enhanced body weight and immune response without negative effects.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Nutritional Science
- Immunology
Background:
- Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John's Wort) is a plant with potential medicinal properties.
- Investigating natural feed additives like St. John's Wort extract (HPE) is crucial for sustainable broiler production.
- Understanding the impact of HPE on broiler health, including growth, gut microbiota, and immunity, is of significant interest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of Hypericum perforatum L. extract (HPE) and powdered H. perforatum (PHP) on broiler chick growth, intestinal flora, and immunity.
- To determine the optimal dosage of HPE for improving broiler performance and health indicators.
- To compare the efficacy of HPE and PHP with a selenium (Se) supplement.
Main Methods:
- 504 one-day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to six dietary treatments: negative control, positive control (0.2% organic Se), 1% PHP, and three levels of HPE (1.5, 3.0, 4.5 mL/kg).
- Chicks were fed experimental diets throughout the starter and grower periods.
- Parameters assessed included growth performance (body weight, daily gain, feed intake, feed conversion rate), liver weight, intestinal lactic acid bacteria counts, serum antibody titers (Newcastle disease vaccine), and immune cytokine levels (IL-1B, IL-6, TNF-α).
Main Results:
- The 4.5 mL/kg HPE group (HPE III) showed significantly higher body weight and average daily gain compared to the negative control and PHP groups.
- HPE III supplementation led to a significant increase in total lactic acid bacteria count and higher serum antibody titers against Newcastle disease.
- Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels were significantly elevated in the HPE III group, indicating an enhanced immune response.
Conclusions:
- Supplementation with 4.5 mL/kg Hypericum perforatum L. extract (HPE) positively impacts broiler growth performance, intestinal microflora, and immunity.
- HPE offers a cost-effective, environmentally friendly alternative for improving broiler health and productivity.
- The findings suggest that HPE, particularly at 4.5 mL/kg, can be a valuable natural additive in broiler diets.
