Growth performance, serum biochemical profile and liver histopathology of broiler chickens supplemented with graded level of dried sprouted wheat grains

Abstract

This study examined the effects of dried sprouted wheat grains (SWGs) on the growth performance, serum biochemical profile and liver histopathology of broiler chickens at starter to finisher phases of growth. A total of 320, day-old Ross-308 as hatched broiler chicks (43.23 ± 2 g) were randomly assigned to four different replicated (n = 4; 20 birds/replicate) dietary treatments. All birds were reared in cages (5l × 5w × 3h feet) that served as an experimental unit and fitted with drinker, feeder, bulb and saw dust as bedding material. Dietary treatments were designated as TRT1 that served as control (CON) and birds in this group were fed a standard diet only, TRT2 (CON + 5 g/kg SWG), TRT3 (CON + 10 g/kg SWG) and TRT4 (CON + 15 g/kg SWG). It was noticed that birds supplemented on higher level of SWG (15 g/kg of diet) had significantly improved body weight gain (BWG) (1806 g) and feed efficiency (1.67) compared to birds in other groups. Similarly, birds in TRT4 had significantly higher high-density lipoprotein both at starter (99.4 mg/dL) and finisher (110 mg/dL), and lower (p < .05) total cholesterol (82 mg/dL), triglyceride (84.5 mg/dL) and alanine transaminase (ALT) (25.6 U/L). Liver histopathological investigations did not reveal any adverse impact of supplementing SWG at even at higher level (15 g/kg of diet) of supplementation. It could be deduced from present findings that supplementation of dried SWG could strategically be used in broiler feed for improved BWG, feed efficiency and without any adverse impact. Further studies are recommended to explore the implication of SWG supplementation at higher level and its impact on nutrients utilisation and digestive enzymes.Highlights Sprouted wheat grains (SWGs) enchanted birds growth and favourably modulated its blood lipid profile. SWG did not alter the liver histopathology of the broiler birds.

Keywords

• broiler
• growth performance
• lipid profile
• liver histomorphology
• dried sprouted wheat grains