Dietary supplementation of extracts of red sea weed (Kappaphycus alvarezii) improves growth, intestinal morphology, expression of intestinal genes and immune responses in broiler chickens.

BACKGROUND Effects of supplementation of dried alkaline (referred to as MVP1) and aqueous (referred to as PBD1) extracts of K. alvarezii, were evaluated in broiler (Vencobb 400) chickens (1-35 d post-hatch). In experiment I, each of the seven diets (basal diet with three levels (0.5, 1.5 or 5.0 g kg-1 diet) of MVP1 or PBD1 and a negative control) was fed to twelve pen replicates containing five birds in each. In experiment II, each of three diets (a negative control, and PBD1 at two levels (1.0 or 1.5 g kg-1 diet)) was fed to sixteen pen replicates of five chicks in each. RESULTS Concentrations of total phenolics, phycobillins and free radical scavenging activity were higher (P<0.01) whereas carrageenan was lower in PBD1 than in MVP1. In the experiment I, PBD1 at 1.5 g kg-1 diet improved (P<0.05) body weight (7.11% higher). In the experiment II, both the treatments improved (P<0.01) BW (9.18% and 8.47%, respectively) as compared to control. The group fed with PBD1@ 1.0 g kg-1 had higher (P<0.05) HI titre, expression of intestinal claudin 2, TLR2A, NOD1, avian beta defensin 4, interleukin 2 and 6 genes than control. Treatments did not influence feed efficiency or levels of most of the antioxidant enzymes. Villus width and crypt depth were significantly higher in the group fed with 1.5 g kg-1 of PBD1. CONCLUSION Supplementing dried aqueous extract of Kappaphycus alvarezii at 1 g kg-1 diet may be an effective strategy to increase growth and immunity in broiler chicken. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.