Effect of Dietary Prosopis farcta on Broiler Performance and Subsequent Physiology under E. coli Challenge.
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This experiment aimed to examine the effects of Prosopis farcta (PF) at varying concentrations (1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 g/kg) and antibiotics (360 g/ton of zinc bacitracin) on the performance and subsequent physiology of broilers during E. coli challenge. A total of 600-day-old Ross 308 broilers were randomly assigned to 10 treatments with six replicates and 10 birds in each. E. coli was orally administered to the birds at 8 and 9 days of age. On day 35, PF at 2–4 g/kg enhanced (p < 0.001) feed intake (FI), body weight (BW), and weight gain (WG) compared to challenged controls and antibiotic-treated groups. Challenged chickens with E. coli decreased (p<0.001) FI, BW, and WG and increased (p<0.015) small intestine relative weight. The relative weight of the spleen increased (p<0.017) in the positive control group. Challenged birds had greater (p < 0.01) Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) levels in their serum. In contrast, unchallenged birds, which received antibiotics or 4 g/kg PF, had lower levels of AST and ALT. Cholesterol decreased (p<0.01) in PF-supplemented groups. Crypt depth was reduced in PF-supplemented birds (p = 0.048), and challenged birds had deeper crypts and lower villus-to-crypt ratios (p < 0.001). Fat digestibility was improved with PF and antibiotic supplementation (p = 0.005). This study indicated that Prosopis farcta at levels of (2–4g/kg) enhanced growth performance, mitigated E. coli-induced metabolic stress, improved gut health, and reduced cholesterol, offering a viable antibiotic alternative in broiler diets under bacterial challenge.
DOI: 10.64362/zjse.60
Authors: Avraz Luqman Mahmood, Sleman S. M. Beski
Institution: University of Duhok
Language: English
Subfield: Animal Science and Zoology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7083677938