Effect of Zinc-Bearing Zeolite Clinoptilolite on Growth Performance, Nutrient Retention, Digestive Enzyme Activities, and Intestinal Function of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of zinc-bearing zeolite clinoptilolite (Zn-ZCP) on performance, growth performance, nutrient retention, digestive enzyme activities, and intestinal function in broiler chickens. A total of 180 1-day-old Arbor Acres chickens were randomly divided into three groups with six replicates of ten birds for a 21-day feeding period. Birds were fed a basal corn-soybean meal diet (29.1 mg of Zn per kilogram of diet) without supplemental zinc (control) or the same diet supplemented with 80 mg/kg zinc from ZnSO4 or Zn-ZCP. Zn-ZCP and ZnSO4 treatments had lower feed: gain ratio than that of control group (P < 0.05). Addition of Zn-ZCP increased (P < 0.05) the apparent retention of organic matter and ether extract during 14-17 days, and increased (P < 0.05) pancreatic lipase activity at 14 and 21 days as well as amylase activity at 21 days. Addition of Zn-ZCP increased the villus heights and villus height to crypt depth ratio at the duodenal (P < 0.05) and jejunal (P < 0.05) of broilers at 14 days. Broilers fed the diet supplemented with 80 mg/kg Zn from Zn-ZCP had higher villus heights and villus height to crypt depth ratio of duodenum (P < 0.05) and jejunum (P < 0.05) than those fed with control diet on day 21. Zn-ZCP treatment increased (P < 0.05) IgG and sIgA concentrations in jejunum at 21 days. The results indicated that Zn-ZCP supplementation which might have modified the release of Zn further down in the intestinal tract with the controlled-release characteristic, modulated digestive enzyme activities and intestinal structure and function, increased nutrient retention, and improved feed efficiency.

Inorganic or organic zinc and MUC-2, IgA, IL-17, TGF-β4 gene expression and sIgA secretion in broiler chickens

“…However, there are several reports that demonstrate that higher Zn levels (60-180 ppm) produce better immune status in broiler chickens (Feng et al, 2010;Tang, Wen, Li, Wang, & Zhou, 2014).…”

The Effect of Inorganic or Organic Zinc on the Morphology of the Intestine in Broiler Chickens

“…criterion [5,12]. However, there are several reports that demonstrate that higher Zn levels [60-180 ppm] produce better immune growth performance and intestinal function of broiler chickens [13,14].…”

Zinc‐bearing zeolite clinoptilolite improves tissue zinc accumulation in laying hens by enhancing zinc transporter gene mRNA abundance

“…; Tang et al . ,b). Our previous researches have shown that ZnCP could promote growth performance of broilers infected with Salmonella pullorum (Wang et al .…”

“…), increase the endogenous digestive enzyme activity (Tang et al . ) and even can replace the antibiotics used in poultry production (Tang et al . ).…”