Effect of Powder and Hydroalcoholic Extract of Origanum vulgare and Virginiamycin on Performance, Blood Metabolites, Ileal Microflora, Jejunal Morphology and Meat Quality of Broilers
Abstract:
Introduction
Antibiotic feed additives have long been used as growth promoters in poultry nutrition. However, concern has been expressed about the potential development of antibiotic resistant bacteria (25). Consequently, the animal feed industry, exposed to increasing consumer pressure to reduce the use of antibiotic growth promoters in poultry diets, has to find alternative feed additives. Marjoram (Origonum vulgar) is a very popular and a common medicinal plant. The main chemical components of marjoram oil are carvacrol, thymol, myrsene, p-cymene, terpinene and pinene (29). The plant is reported to possess antibacterial and antioxidant activities (2, 36). The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of adding different levels of marjoram leaves (powder and hydroalcoholic extract) into broiler diets on growth performance, blood metabolites, relative weight of internal organs, ileal microflora, jejunal histomorphology and meat quality of broiler chicks.
Materials And Methods
Two hundred and eighty eight one-day old Ross 308 broiler chicks (male) were obtained from a commercial local source and used in this study. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with 8 treatments, 3 replicates and 12 birds in each replicate. Experimental treatments consisted of control diet (without any additives), antibiotic virginiamycin (100 mg/kg), Origanum vulgare leaves powder (1, 2 and 3%) and Origanum vulgare extract (150, 250 and 350 mg/kg). The experimental period lasted up to the 42 d of age. The rearing and management conditions were equal for all groups. Experimental diets were formulated to meet the nutrients requirements of the Ross broiler chicks (3). Chicks had full access to feed and water during the experimental period. Live body weight and feed intake were recorded at 10, 24 and 42 d of age for each replicate. At the end of the experiment, the blood samples (from one chick per replicate) were collected to determine hematological parameters, then the chicks were slaughtered and ileum contents were removed for bacterial counts and also jejunum were immediately removed for histological studies.
Results And Discussion
Based on the results, in 1-10 d period, supplementing the broiler diet with virginiamycin increased significantly feed intake (P
Conclusion
In conclusion, Origanum vulgare extract (at 350 mg/kg) can be used as a good replacement for antibiotics. Also, supplementing broiler diets with 3 percent Origanum vulgare leaves powder significantly decreased feed intake and subsequently weight gain. So, adding the powder to broiler diets is not recommended more than 2 percent.
Language:
Persian
Published:
Iranian Journal of Animal Science Reaserch, Volume:8 Issue: 1, 2016
Pages:
108 to 121
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