Investigating the effect of 1,25 dihydroxycholecalciferol-glycosides and phytogenic antioxidants against bacterial chondronecrosis induced by aerosol transmission model

Bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO) lameness has been a major concern in the broiler industry, causing financial losses and animal welfare issues. BCO lameness is caused by a bacterial infection in leg bones. Pathogens enter the bloodstream via respiratory and intestinal epithelial translocation and infect the tibia and femoral heads of the birds. Supplementation of 1,25(OH)₂D₃ is crucial in regulating calcium and phosphorus homeostasis, immune system, and bone metabolism. 1,25(OH)₂D₃ glycosides derived from Solanum glaucophyllum (G-1,25(OH)₂D₃) were hypothesized to mitigate BCO lameness in broilers. In this study, G-1,25(OH)₂D₃ alone or in combination with phytogenic antioxidants were tested for their impacts on cumulative BCO lameness in the broiler population. BCO seeder group and the negative control had developed 78,0% and 73.5% cumulative lameness (P = 0.64), respectively. Supplementation of 1 µg/kg of G-1,25(OH)₂D₃ was more effective in reducing the cumulative lameness than 10 µg/kg of G-1,25(OH)₂D₃ (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between 1 µg/kg of G-1,25(OH)₂D₃ alone or in combination with 500 mg/kg of a mixture of Curcuma longa plus Trachyspermum ammi (PH1), 750 mg/kg of a mixture of Solanum xanthacarpum plus Piper longum (PH2), or 500 mg/kg thyme oil. Therefore, 1 µg/kg of G-1,25(OH)₂D₃ provided better protection against BCO lameness compared to 10 µg/kg of G-1,25(OH)₂D₃. Additionally, the combination with phytogenic antioxidants did not result in any further reduction of cumulative BCO lameness compared to the use of G-1,25(OH)₂D₃ alone.