Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Development of Animal Wealth, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
2
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.
3
Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat City, Sadat City 32897, Egypt
Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate using feeding of Azolla on growth performance, gene expression and its economic impact in broiler chickens. A total of 120 one day old chicks (Cobb 500) were allocated randomly in to 4 groups. Broiler chicks fed different diets containing 0%, 4%, 8%, and 12% dried Azolla (DA) for a period of 42 days. Broilers group fed with 12% DA had the highest significant average final body weight and body weight gain. Dietary treatments with different levels of Azolla showed significant improvement in the expression profile of growth (IGF-I, GH, MYLK4, MEF2B, TRPV1, STAT5A, PGAM2), immune (IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, and AVBD9), antioxidant (SOD, CAT, GPX, PRDX2, and PRDX6) and intestinal health (MUC2, gastrotropin, Cath-B) genes. The highest net return per Kg gain, and economic efficiency values were found for group fed 12% Azolla. In conclusion, the dietary inclusion of DA up to 12%, can improve the growth performance, antioxidant properties without adverse effect on the health condition of broiler chicks, and increase the profitability for broiler chickens.
Keywords
Main Subjects
)
View on SCiNiTO