Effects of dietary phytosterols supplementation on serum parameters, nutrient digestibility and digestive enzyme of white feather broilers

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impacts of dietary phytosterol (PS) addition at different levels on serum parameters, nutrient digestibility and digestive enzyme activities of white feather broilers. A total of 600, 1-day-old male broilers were randomly divided into five groups with six replicates and were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0 (control group), 10, 20, 40, or 80 mg PS/kg for 42 days. The results showed that dietary supplementation with PS at 20 and 40 mg/kg decreased malondialdehyde accumulation and increased glutathione peroxidase concentrations compared with the control group (p < .05). Dietary PS at more than or equal to 20 mg/kg level significantly decreased (p < .05) the uric acid and aspartate aminotransferase concentrations, but increased serum albumin, immunoglobin A and immunoglobin G levels. In addition, compared with the control group, supplementing PS at 40 mg/kg significantly increased the nutrient digestibility of calcium, dry matter and crude protein, improved trypsin and lipase activities of the pancreas as well as lipase and amylase activities of intestine (p < .05). In conclusion, dietary PS supplementation, especially at 40 mg/kg, could improve antioxidant capacity, immune function, nutrient digestibility and digestive enzyme activities of white feather broilers, providing insights into its application as a potential feed additive in broiler production.Highlight Phytosterols as a new type of feed additives have a positive impact on broilers Dietary phytosterols supplementation can improve antioxidant status and immune function in broiler. The nutrient digestibility and digestive enzyme activities were improved by dietary addition of phytosterols.

Keywords

• phytosterols
• antioxidant capacity
• immunity
• nutrient digestibility
• digestive enzyme
• broiler