Impact of phytogenic formulation on performance and fatty liver disease of broiler chickens

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of polyherbal (phytogenic) formulation (PHF: containing Acacia nilotica and Curcuma longa) on performance parameters, liver histopathology and prevention of fatty liver in broilers. 700 day-old chicks were randomly distributed to seven groups (10 replicates / group; 10 birds each), namely positive control (T1) fed with basal diet + choline chloride (CCL) 60% (1000g), negative control (T2) fed with high energy (5% increment), low protein (24% reduction), high cholesterol (2% increment) diet, T3 (T2 + PHF; 1000g-full cycle), T4 (T2 + PHF; 2000g-full cycle), T5 (T2 + CCL 60% (1000g-full cycle)), T6 (T5 + PHF; 1000g-grower and finisher stage), T7 (T5 + PHF; 2000g-finisher stage). Average daily gain (ADG; g), average daily feed intake (ADFI; g) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated at 1-14 days, 15-28 days, 29-42 days, and 1-42 days. Serum triglycerides analysis, gross and histopathological observations of liver morphology were performed for the samples of control and experimental groups on day 42. The performance parameters; ADG, ADFI, FCR, and liveability were found to be improved in all the groups as compared to the negative control group. However, better performance was observed in PHF (2000g) top-up group (during the finisher stage) as compared to the negative control group. Serum triglyceride levels were increased non-significantly as compared to the negative control indicating that more fat is mobilized from liver to serum. In addition, PHF supplementation at 2000g during the finisher phase had restored the liver tissue architecture as well as improved the liver score when compared to the negative control group. It is concluded that PHF (2000g/ton) during the finisher stage can be used as a top-up to improve the performance parameters as well as to prevent the fatty liver condition in broiler chickens.