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Introduction: Improving fat digestion in animal feed can reduce production costs and enhance chicken performance by decreasing the energy content of the diet. Justification: Energy is one of the most costly components in formulating diets for animals. Objective: To evaluate the digestibility of nutrients in broiler chickens from 1 to 42 days old fed diets that include lipase. Methods: The study was conducted at the Avian Experimentation Unit located in Palmira, Colombia. 560 one-day-old Cobb 500 broiler chickens were used, grouped into 5 Treatments: positive control diets according to animal requirements (CP), one negative control diet with a 35 kcal reduction (CN) from bird requirements, and three CN diets with lipase inclusion (100, 200, 300 ppm), each with 7 replicates of 16 animals per replicate. The digestibility of dry matter, ether extract, total protein, and energy was evaluated in the nutrition laboratory of the University of Applied and Environmental Sciences U.D.C.A according to AOAC methodologies. Results and Discussion: It was observed that the inclusion of 300 ppm of lipase improves the digestibility of dry matter and ether extract. Regarding energy metabolizability, the best treatment was 100 ppm of lipase. Studies have shown that lipase supplementation increases the digestibility of nutrients such as dry matter, ether extract, and gross energy in broiler chickens and can lead to better feed conversion. Conclusion: The use of 100 ppm of lipase in diets with a 35 kcal reduction in 1 to 42-day-old broiler chickens improves energy digestibility, which is higher than that of birds receiving diets with the total required energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The productivity of chickens depends, among other factors, on the functionality of the intestine, which is associated with the role of the microbiome. Botanical extracts may be able to modulate the composition of the gut microbiome. Objective: To determine the effects of botanical extracts inclusion in the diet of broiler on the cecal microbiota. Methods: Seven hundred and four one-day-old chickens were distributed into 3 experimental groups: commercial diet (CD), diet with 200 ppm grape seed extract (DSU) and diet with 200 ppm green tea extract (DTV). For DNA extraction, cecal samples were taken from chickens at 21 and 42 days of age. Sequencing of the V3/V4 regions of the bacterial 16S rRNA was done using the Illumina platform. In the identification of the Taxonomic Units (OTUs), reference databases of the 16S rRNA marker were used. Taxonomic classification at the phylum level was done using MEGAN. The relative frequencies of the OTUs were analyzed and compared through analysis of variance and Tukey test (p<0.05). Results and Discussion: The main phyla found were Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. At 21 days, no differences (P>0.05) in Bacteroidetes were observed between groups. However, Firmicutes abundance was lower (P<0.05) in chickens fed DTV (67±7.9%) than chickens fed DSU (88.3±3.8%) and DC (88.2±7.8%). On the other hand, chickens fed with DTV (1.24±0.18%; 0.7±0.02%) and DSU (2.32±0.16%; 0.8±0.04%) presented higher abundance of Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria compared to chickens fed DC (0.30±0.08%; 0.5±0.01%). At 42 days, no difference (P>0.05) was observed in the abundance of the OTUs of the bacterial phyla. The bacterial microbiome can be regulated by diet, which can lead to positive effects on the productivity and health of broilers. Conclusion: Grape seed and green tea extracts induced differential changes in the cecal microbiota of broiler chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The gastrointestinal microbiota of chickens is considered crucial for their welfare, growth and productive performance. Different bioactive plant compounds are being considered as potential alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters. Objective: To characterize the taxonomic structure of the cecal microbiota of broiler fed with the inclusion of botanical extracts. Methods: The experiment was carried out in Armero-Tolima with 704 one-day-old birds, distributed in 3 experimental groups, commercial diet (CP), diet including 200 ppm of grape seed extract (CNU) and diet with 200 ppm of green tea extract (CNT). At 21 days of age, 8 chickens per treatment were sacrificed. Cecum samples were taken from each individual and used for the extraction of microbial DNA. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA regions was done using the Illumina platform. The identification of the Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) was carried out using non-redundant databases as a reference from the 16S rRNA ribosomal marker. Taxonomic classification was performed by subsampling using MEGAN. Results and Discussion: The most representative bacterial phyla were Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes with approximate relative abundances of 84% and 3%, respectively. Other phyla such as Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Spirochaetes, Cyanobacteria, Tenericutes and Verrucomicrobia presented relative abundance around 1%. At the genus level, the most predominant OTUs in the cecal microbiota of chickens corresponded to Alistipes, Bacillus, Blautia, Clostridium, Eubacterium, Faecalibacterium, Lactobacillus and Ruminococcus, within which Lactobacillus and Clostridium presented a relative abundance of 16.8% and 11.5%, respectively. As observed in this study, it is known that Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria represent the majority (>90%) of cecal bacteria in chickens and that this bacterial community has important interactions between diet and the host. Conclusion: The main OTUs found in 21-day-old broiler chickens fed with botanical extracts correspond mainly to the phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes and the genera Clostriduim and Lactilobacillus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In Colombia, poultry farming is one of the main livestock activities in the country and with this it becomes fundamental to perform a correct antibiotic management in production, since antimicrobial resistance is considered an emerging problem. Understanding this, β-glucans have been considered an alternative to antibiotics. Objective: An experiment was carried out to evaluate: How do β-glucans generate an immunomodulatory effect in broilers, since studies show that they can promote bird growth, provide immunomodulatory effects and prevent antimicrobial resistance. Methods: 150 one-day-old Broiler Ross line birds challenged at 7 days of age with oral inoculation of E. coli (1·107 CFU) via gavage were used. The β-glucan additive was supplied in drinking water, and the treatments were T1: 0.1% saline, T2: β-glucan 0.25%, and T3: β-glucan 0.5%. Eight birds from each treatment were randomly selected on days 17, 21 and 43 of age, and blood samples were collected to determine the levels of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM). Subsequently, they were sacrificed and organs were collected: thymus, spleen and bursa of Fabricius - to determine the relative weight of the thymus and the size of the bursa and spleen. Results and Discussion: After determining globulins on day 17 of life (10 days post-infection: DPI) no significant differences were obtained; on day 21 (14 DPI) (P=0.0008) and day 43 (35 DPI) (P= <0.0001) the highest IgG value was obtained with T2. Likewise, measurement of lymphoid organ size at 10 DPI showed significant increases in bursa (P=0.003) and spleen (P=0.03) with T2; at 14 DPI, T2 increased bursal size (P= 0.015); and finally, at 35 DPI, bursal size (P=0.007) and relative thymus weight (P=<0.0001) increased with T1, while spleen increased in size with T2. Delivery of β-glucan at 0.25% (T2) influences the immune response by increasing the amount of IgG in the late phase of infection, and the increase in the size of the bursa and spleen influences the immune response against infection. Conclusion: The use of β-glucans at 0.25% is a viable alternative to improve the immune response in E. coli positive birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: As a strategy to be implemented in poultry feeding, photogenic additives emerge, which have positive impacts on meat quality. Objective: To evaluate the effect of natural extracts (grape and green tea) on breast meat quality. Methods: 408 one-day-old broiler chickens of the Cobb 500 line were used. The animals were randomly distributed into 3 treatments: T1: Balanced control diet according to animal requirements (BC); T2: BC + 400 ppm grape extract; T3: BC + 400 ppm green tea extract; each treatment had 8 replicates of 16 animals. To evaluate meat quality at 42 days, one bird from each replicate was selected, slaughtered, and breast samples were stored in expanded polystyrene trays covered with cling film and stored in a refrigerated showcase for 15 days. pH, texture, and lipid oxidation were evaluated using the TBARS methodology, and the data obtained were analyzed using the SAS 9.4 statistical program. Results and Discussion: When evaluating the pH evolution of the breast, a progressive increase in pH was observed (P=0.009), with birds fed grape showing greater pH stability, as well as lower texture observed in the samples of birds that received grape (P=<0.001) and green tea (P=0.008) at 15 days, indicating that the texture of these samples was softer. When evaluating oxidation, it was observed that at day zero, the lowest values were found in samples from birds fed the green tea diet (P=<0.0001), and at 15 days of storage, the lowest TBARS values were observed in samples from birds fed grape and green tea (P=<0.001), while samples from birds fed the control diet showed the highest TBARS values, indicating greater lipid peroxidation. Conclusion: The breast meat of birds fed grape and green tea extracts has better texture and lower lipid oxidation, indicating better quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Lysozyme, a natural enzyme with antibacterial properties, has shown promise as a dietary supplement in poultry, improving feed conversion, reducing the presence of pathogenic bacteria in the intestines, and decreasing intestinal lesions. This highlights its potential as a growth promoter in poultry farming. Objective: To evaluate the effects of muramidase on productive parameters in broiler chickens. Methods: 448 animals were used, divided into 4 treatments: diet with -60 kcal/kg ME and 1% CP (T1); T1 diet with 0.005% muramidase (T2); T1 diet with 0.01% muramidase (T3); and T1 diet with 0.02% muramidase (T4), each with 7 repetitions of 16 animals. Performance parameters (weight gain, consumption, feed conversion) and nutrient digestibility coefficients (dry matter, protein, ether extract) were evaluated, as well as the metabolizability coefficient of energy. Results and Discussion: At 21 days (P=0.002) and 42 days (P=0.0007), females receiving T4 showed higher protein digestibility; regarding the energy metabolizability coefficient (P=0.008), it was higher in females receiving T1 and at 42 days (P=0.003) in those receiving T2; in males, higher protein (P=0.0003) and ether extract (P=0.001) digestibility were observed for birds receiving the T1 and T2 diets, and the energy metabolizability coefficient (P=<0.001) was better for the T3 diet, as well as at 42 days (P=0.01); however, there were no differences in productive parameters for females and males. The inclusion of muramidase increases the digestibility of protein, ether extract, and energy. Conclusion: The inclusion of 0.02% muramidase in females improves protein digestibility, and the inclusion of 0.01% improves energy digestibility without changes in productive parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Protein is one of the most expensive nutrients in balanced feed for production animals. Therefore, research on this topic seeks to reduce the economic impact on poultry farming. Objective: To evaluate the inclusion of protease produced by fermentation with Aspergillus niger in the feed of broiler chickens from 1 to 42 days, focusing on productive performance. Methods: The study was carried out at the Experimentation Unit in Palmira-Colombia, located in a thermally warm region at 1,000 meters above sea level. 960 one-day-old Cobb 500 chickens were used, grouped into 5 treatments: two control diets with a reduction in protein content by 3% (LP3) and 6% (LP6) of the birds' requirements and three diets with inclusion of protease (50, 100, 150 ppm) based on LP6, each with 8 repetitions of 24 animals per replicate, the productive performance of the birds was evaluated by analyzing live weight, feed consumption and conversion rate. Result and Discussion: When evaluating weight gain, it was observed that the birds that received the diets with 50 and 100 ppm of protease had a weight gain equal to the birds that received the diet with -3% protein, and greater than the birds that received the diet with -6% protein and those that received the diet with 150 ppm of protease. Regarding food consumption and weight gain, no differences were observed between treatments. The use of up to 100 ppm of protease in diets with 6% protein reduction can increase weight gain in broilers from 1 to 42 days, because proteases play an important role in physiological processes such as protein degradation, cell division and turnover, promoting intestinal health and reducing the colonization of pathogenic bacteria. Conclusion: Supplementing with serine protease at up to 100 ppm in diets with less than 6% protein improves weight gain of birds and can reduce production costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Antibiotic growth promoters (APC) are widely and continuously used in the poultry industry. Botanical extracts are presented as an alternative for the prevention of bacterial resistance caused by APC, however, it is important to evaluate their application. Objective: To evaluate the effect of botanical extracts inclusion on nutrients digestibility in broiler chicken diets. Methods: 704 one-day-old chickens were used, distributed in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments: Positive control diet with APC (PCD); negative control diet without APC (DCN), diet with 200 ppm grape extract (DEU) and diet with 200 ppm green tea extract (TEV). For nutrient digestibility analysis, ileal digesta was collected from chickens at 21 and 42 days of age. Subsequently, nutrient analysis was carried out and the digestibility coefficients of dry matter (CDMS), crude protein (CDPB), ethereal extract (CDEE) and gross metabolizable energy (CDEM) were estimated according to AOAC. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and the comparison of means was performed by the Tukey test (p<0.05). Results and Discussion: On day 21, significantly higher values (p<0.05) of CDMS were observed in the DCP (96.57±0.01%) and DCN (96.54±0.01%) diets. For the CDPB, higher values (P<0.05) were observed in the DEU (78.18±0.04%) and DCP (77.83±0.1%) diets, while for the CDEE (88, 46±0.04%) and CDEM (80.62±0.09%) were better (P<0.05) in the TEV diet. At 42 days the CDMS were higher (p<0.05) in the DCP (96.28±0.01%) and DEU (95.92±0.01%) diets and the CDPB were higher (P<0.05) in the DCP (80.74±0.10%) and DCN (79.59±0.32) diets. As at 21 days, for the CDEE (95.80±0.04%) and CDEM (80.69±0.36%) the diet with the best response (P<0.05) was TEV. Some studies suggest that natural extracts increase the digestibility and absorption of nutrients, by stimulating digestive enzymes. Conclusion: The inclusion of natural extracts in broiler chicken diets have a positive effect on nutrient digestibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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