Effect of plant extracts derived from thyme on male broiler performance

Abstract

The effect of dietary thyme-oil extract (TOE) supplementation on immune functions of broilers were assessed by feeding graded levels (50, 100, 200, or 400 ppm) of TOE to male broiler chicks during a 42-d feeding trial compared with negative-or positive-control diets. Dietary control treatments included a negative-control diet with no feed-additive supplementation and 2 positive-control groups supplemented with either virginiamycin or zinc bacitracin. In total, 300 1-day-old Ross × Ross male broilers were randomly assigned to 6 dietary treatments that consisted of 5 replicates of 10 birds each. On d 21 and 42, 2 birds from each replicate were killed by cervical cutting to measure the relative weights of spleen and bursa of Fabricius. At 25 d of age, chicks were injected with 0.5 mL of 10% SRBC suspension. Broilers fed with 200 ppm of TOE had heavier weights of bursa of Fabricius than those fed other dietary treatments at d 42 of age. Furthermore, dietary inclusion of 100 ppm of TOE resulted in higher (P < 0.05) total immunoglobulin response in primary antibody titer against sheep erythrocytes compared with other dietary treatments. On the other hand, diet modifications had no significant effect on blood leukocyte subpopulations and heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio. These results suggest that dietary supplementation with TOE, especially at the level of 100 ppm, can improve immunological responses of broiler chicks.

Dietary inclusion effects of phytochemicals as growth promoters in animal production

“…Some phytochemicals can excite the olfactory nerves and taste buds [37, 38]. All of these effects can cause positive results like higher feed consumption and weight gain [39–41]. …”

“…The phytochemicals that have been shown to possess immune-stimulatory properties are flavonoids, vitamin C and carotenoids [90]. Phytochemical feed additives may help the immune response when animals are in immune-suppressed conditions by improving the activity of lymphocytes, the immunoglobulin response, monocytes, macrophages and NK cells and, consequently, increasing phagocytosis and stimulating interferon synthesis [39, 62, 91–93]. The immune-stimulant activity may improve duodenal function and increase the availability of nutrients for absorption; consequently, this activity could result in an improvement of the general status of the animal by transforming these nutrients in energy sources and tissues and by enhancing its genetic potential for growth [94].…”

“…The immune-stimulant activity may improve duodenal function and increase the availability of nutrients for absorption; consequently, this activity could result in an improvement of the general status of the animal by transforming these nutrients in energy sources and tissues and by enhancing its genetic potential for growth [94]. In this sense, Alipour et al [39] reported an increase in the immunological response of broiler serum after supplementing with an essential oil of thyme.…”

Effect of plant extracts derived from thyme and chamomile on the growth performance, gut morphology and immune system of broilers fed aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A contaminated diets

“…The flowers were washed and dried then ground into powder. Then, 25 g of the flowers' powder was extracted using 250 mL of 80% ethanol at room temperature by maceration overnight, with occasional stirring (Alipour et al 2015). The extract was then filtered and the solvent was evaporated using a rotary evaporator (Bio-Equip RE-52-3-5; Shanghai Qingpu Huxi Instruments Factory, Shanghai, China) at 30 C to obtain the dried CFE and TOE.…”

Evaluation of the combined and separate action of the Quercus cortex extract and an antibiotic on the amino acid composition of broilers’ muscle tissue

“…Phytobiotics stimulate the production of endogenous enzymes improving digestibility and assimilation of nutrients. Many of them serve as natural flavors that stimulate feed intake, which has a positive effect on the productivity of animals [9][10].…”