Poultry Science (Aug 2020)
Effects of dietary sweeteners supplementation on growth performance, serum biochemicals, and jejunal physiological functions of broiler chickens
Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary 3 kinds of sweeteners supplementation on growth performance, serum biochemicals, and jejunal physiological functions of broiler chickens for 21 D. A total of one hundred ninety-two 1-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly divided into 4 treatments with 6 replicates for each treatment. The treatments were basal diet (CON), a basal diet supplemented with 250 mg/kg stevioside (STE), a basal diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg sucralose (SUC), and a basal diet supplemented with 600 mg/kg saccharin sodium (SAC). All birds were housed in 3-level battery cages. The results showed that dietary STE supplementation increased (P < 0.05) growth performance, serum total protein, serum albumin, and jejunal antioxidant capacity of broiler chickens. Both SUC and SAC supplementation decreased (P < 0.05) serum total protein and albumin. Dietary SAC supplementation impaired the intestinal integrity, permeability, and mucus layer of the jejunum in broiler chickens. In addition, SAC supplementation elevated (P < 0.05) the transcription expression level of jejunal bitter taste receptors and induced excessive jejunal apoptosis. Our data suggest that STE could be potentially applied as a growth-promoting and antioxidant feed additive in broiler chickens. Whereas, dietary supplementation with high level SAC has side-effects on the jejunal physiological functions of broiler chickens.