The effect of Boswellia serrata resin diet supplementation on production, hematological, biochemical and immunological parameters in broiler chickens.

Boswellia serrata resin (BSR), exhibiting a variety of therapeutic properties, is applied in Asian traditional medicine. These properties can be used in poultry production as well. Application of the resin as a phytobiotic in broiler chicken rearing can increase the productivity and improve meat quality. However, the optimum and maximum levels of BSR in broiler diets need to be assessed. The study determined the effect of different levels of supplementation of BSR (directly derived, unprocessed) in diets for broiler chickens on the production traits, selected slaughter analysis parameters, nutrient digestibility and selected hematological, biochemical and immunological parameters. In total, 200 1-day-old broiler chickens were assigned randomly to four treatments with five replicate cages of 10 broiler chickens/cage (five females and five males). The experiment lasted 6 weeks, and the broiler chickens were fed diets containing 0% (control), 3% (BSR3), 4% (BSR4) or 5% (BSR5). In the broiler chickens receiving diets with addition of resin BSR3 and BSR4, there was an increase in (P<0.05) BW gain, ether extract, ADF, organic matter and energy digestibility of the diets. Moreover, the best carcass quality with a high proportion of muscles and low abdominal fat content (P<0.05) was noted in these groups. The content of uric acid (P<0.01) and the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (P<0.001) and alkaline phosphatase (P<0.05) in blood plasma decreased upon the BSR supplementation. Globulin content increased in blood plasma (P<0.05) along the increasing level of BSR. The blood immunoglobulin A concentration was only affected by the BSR treatments (P<0.05). It may be concluded that BSR can be regarded as a safe and effective dietary additive for broiler chicken.

Effect of Boswellia serrata Resin Supplementation on Basic Chemical and Mineral Element Composition in the Muscles and Liver of Broiler Chickens.

Supplementation of broiler chicken diets with resin rich in bioactive components, such as different boswellic acids, could improve productivity, chemical composition, and nutritive value of produced meat. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of different levels of Boswellia serrata (BSR) supplementation in broiler chicken diet on the basic chemical composition and the Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Zn, and Cu contents in the breast and drumstick muscles and liver. The analyses involved 200 Ross 308 chickens. The broiler chickens were fed with diets containing 0 (BSR0), 1.5 (BSR1.5), 2 (BSR2), and 2.5% (BSR2.5) of B. serrata resin. The supplementation of broiler chicken diets with 2.5% (BSR2.5) decreased linearly the ether extract in breast and drumstick muscles and the calorific value in drumstick muscles (P < 0.05). An increased level of Ca in the breast and drumstick muscles (control vs. BSR diets, linear, P < 0.05) and in the liver (control vs. BSR diets, quadratic, P < 0.05) as well as Mg in the drumstick muscles and liver (control vs. BSR diets, linear, P < 0.05) was noted in the BSR2 and BSR2.5 chicken groups. The BSR supplementation reduced Cu (in the breast and drumstick muscles and liver) (P < 0.05) and Zn retention (in the drumstick muscles) (C vs. BSR, linear, P < 0.05). B. serrata resin can be considered a good feed additive with a positive impact on the dietary value of poultry meat.

Comparative Effects of Inulin with Different Polymerization Degrees on Growth Performance, Blood Trace Minerals, and Erythrocyte Indices in Growing-Finishing Pigs.

There are numerous reports of the effect of inulin on the bioavailability of mineral compounds. However, there are no conclusive reports concerning its beneficial impact (or lack thereof) in the case of such essential trace elements as iron, copper, or zinc. The aim of the study was to compare the effects of inulin addition with different degrees of polymerization (DPs) on growth performance in fatteners as well as on blood plasma concentrations of iron, copper, and zinc and selected hematological indices. The experiment was conducted throughout the fattening period (up to a body weight of approximately 115 kg) on 112 weaners with an initial weight of 25.0 ± 0.5 kg divided into 7 groups. The first group served as a control, while the other groups received increasing doses (1, 2, and 3 %) of standard inulin (SI; DPav ≥ 10) or long-chain inulin (LCI, DPav ≥ 23) in complete mixtures. Compared with the control, the supplementation of the mixtures with inulin increased the average daily gains, the final body weight, and the plasma content of trace elements (P < 0.05). An increased plasma zinc concentration was noted after application of inulin with a lower polymerization degree (P < 0.05). In turn, at a higher inulin polymerization degree, a higher final body weight and increased copper (P < 0.05), iron (P < 0.1), hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and packed cell volume (PCV) levels were detected in animal blood (P < 0.05). The inulin addition was found to have modified the analyzed indices, and the optimal supplementation level was estimated at 20  g·kg-1 diet. Inulin with the higher DP exerted a more pronounced effect on the analyzed properties.

Effects of iron-glycine chelate on growth, carcass characteristic, liver mineral concentrations and haematological and biochemical blood parameters in broilers.

Studies were carried out to determine the effect of additive iron-glycine chelate on the production performance, slaughter yield, mineral deposition in the liver and the metabolic blood panel in broiler chickens. A total of 250 one-day-old Ross 308 chicks were allotted into five groups with five replicates of 10 birds each. Diets were supplemented with the organic form iron (Fe-Gly at the rate of 25%, 50% or 100% of the total requirements of the elements) and inorganic Fe (FeSO4 at the rate of 50% or 100%). In the experiment, iron was added to the premix (containing no Fe) in an amount of 40 or 20 mg per kg of basal diet, in groups I and II, in the form of FeSO4 , and in an amount of 40, 20 or 10 mg per kg of basal diet, in groups III, IV and V, in the form of Fe-Gly. The study covering the period from the first to the 42nd day of breeding revealed that the production performance and slaughter yield were not dependent on the form and amount of added Fe. In the experimental groups with the addition of Fe-Gly of 20 or 10 mg/kg, there were no deaths of chickens during the whole fattening period. As a result, introducing an organic form of iron covering 50% and 25% of the birds' requirement increased the effectiveness of chicken fattening (European Efficiency Index) (p < 0.01). An organic Fe compound (40, 20 or 10 mg/kg) added to mixtures contributed to significant changes in the level of biochemical and haematological indicators in blood. The study demonstrated that an addition of Fe-Gly to mixtures for broilers can be fully effective in terms of production and health performance even if the suggested requirement for this element is 50% or 25% covered.