Blood carotenoids as a biomarker of intestinal functionality and performance in broiler chickens
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Background: Research to establish a reliable biomarker that allows the practical and accurate evaluation of intestinal functionality and productive performance in broiler chickens is one of the main challenges in modern poultry production. In this context, blood carotenoids have stood out as promising indicators, as they reflect the absorptive efficiency and physiological balance of birds. The objective of this study was to verify whether the determination of total carotenoids in the blood can be used as an effective biomarker in experiments that evaluate nutritional additives, correlating them with zootechnical parameters. Materials and Methods: Data from five experiments were analyzed, totaling 9,125 broilers. Performance traits and blood total carotenoids were measured, and univariate and multivariate analyses were applied to evaluate the relationships between carotenoid status and performance. Results: < 0.05) in blood carotenoid concentrations, regardless of the experimental design, diet, or the presence of a health challenge. A positive correlation was also observed between carotenoid levels and weight gain, and a negative correlation with feed conversion, during the periods from 0 to 35 and 0 to 42 days of age. Conclusion: The results indicate that the quantification of carotenoids in the blood, performed in a fast and minimally invasive way, can be used as an innovative tool to monitor intestinal functionality and predict productive performance in broilers in response to nutritional supplementation.
Source: Frontiers in Physiology
Institution: Universidade de São Paulo
Language: English
Subfield: Animal Science and Zoology
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W4416384168