[Effects of electron beam irradiation and organic acid on production performance and immune responses in broiler chickens]

Electron beam irradiation and using of organic acids cause reducing or eliminating the microbial load of poultry diets. This study was conducted to compare the effect of electron beam irradiation and organic acids on diet microbial load, immune system, serum lipids, intestinal morphology, organs relative weight and growth characters of broilers. 300 day-old male broilers [Cobb 500] were randomly divided into 5 experimental groups, so that each group included 4 replicates with 15 birds per pen. Treatments were basal diet as control, irradiate diet by 3, 5 and 7 kGy doses and diet containing Formycin 0.2%. The highest and lowest of daily weight gain average were observed in finisher and total period by 7 kGy and control groups, respectively [p<0.05]. Moreover, a significant reduction were observed in microbial load of diets among treatments [p<0.05]. Highest [5.66] and lowest [4.17] antibody titer against SRBC were observed in Formycin and control groups, respectively [p<0.05] after 2[nd] injection. Highest and lowest percentage of breast weight and abdominal fat were observed in 7 kGy and control groups, respectively [p<0.05]. Greatest villus height [1089 micro m] and villus height to crypt depth ratio [5.84] in jejunum were obtained in 7 kGy group [p<0.05]. Experimental dietary irradiation improves broiler performance, that its trend is more evident with increasing exposure dose

effects of comparison of herbal extracts, antibiotic, probiotic and organic acid on serum lipids, immune response, GIT microbial population, intestinal morphology and performance of broilers

With the removal of antibiotic as growth promoters from poultry diets, it is of interest to investigate potential alternatives to maintain good growth performance and good intestinal microbial populations in these birds. Numerous additives such as Probiotics, prebiotics, organic acids, enzymes and herbal extracts used extensively in poultry feed. The study was conducted to investigate the effects of herbal extracts, probiotic, organic acid and antibiotic on serum lipids, immune response, intestinal morphology, microbial population and performance of broilers. A total of 300 day - old male broilers [Cobb 500] were randomly divided into four treatments, five replicates with 15 birds in each. Treatments included: control, herbal extracts [Sangrovit [R]], probiotic [Primalac[R]], organic acid [Termin-8[R]] and antibiotic [Virginiamycin]. The highest weight gain [WG] were achieved by virginiamycin [p<0.05]. Moreover, highest and lowest antibody titers against SRBC were observed in Primalac_ and virginiamycin treatments, respectively [p<0.05]. Lowest serum cholesterol and triglyceride were obtained by Primalac[R] and Sangrovit_ [p<0.05]. The lowest and highest coliform bacteria counts in ileum were seen in virginiamycin and control groups, respectively [p<0.05]. It has been concluded that Sangrovit[R], Primalac[R] and Termin-8[R] reduced pathogenic bacteria in digestive tract of broilers, which can help to improve intestinal health of these animals. Thus, these can be used as antibiotic alternatives in broilers feed