Effect of fermented Ginkgo biloba leaves on nutrient utilisation, intestinal digestive function and antioxidant capacity in broilers

ABSTRACT1. A total of 648 one-day-old broiler chicks were randomly allocated into six equal groups to investigate the effect of diet supplemented with fermented Ginkgo biloba leaves (FGBL) at different levels on nutrient utilisation, intestinal digestive function and antioxidant activity.2. Broilers in the six groups were offered basal diet supplemented with either 0, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5 and 5.5 g/kg FGBL during the 42-d experiment, respectively.3. Birds fed with 3.5 g/kg FGBL diet exhibited increased (P < 0.05) body weight gain, feed intake, apparent total tract retention (ATTR) of ether extract (EE) and relative weight of duodenum. Diets supplemented with FGBL increased (P < 0.05) antioxidant and digestive enzyme activities, and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations at different degrees in pancreas and small intestine. The expression of antioxidant related genes was up-regulated (P < 0.05) by the transcription factor Nrf2 in small intestine, especially with supplementation of 3.5 and 4.5 g/kg FG...