Effects of Yucca schidigera extract on growth performance and antioxidative function of small intestine in broilers

Abstract

Dietary Yucca schidigera extract (YSE) could enhance immune function in broilers, which was attributed primarily to its saponin components. However, YSE also contains phenolic compounds which possess antioxidant ability. This study tested the effects of YSE on growth performance of broilers, its antioxidative enzyme activities and corresponding gene expressions in the small intestine. A total of 128 15‐day‐old broilers were randomly assigned to 4 treatments: corn‐soya bean meal as the basal control diet or the basal diet containing either 100, 200 or 300 mg/kg of YSE. Each treatment consisted of four replicate pens with eight broilers per pen. The experiment lasted 28 days which was divided into a grower period (day: 15–28) and a finisher period (day: 29–42). On day 28 and day 42 body weight (BW), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion rate (FCR) were recorded. Duodenum, jejunum and ileum were collected to analyse superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC) and gene expressions of SOD, CAT, GPx. The results showed that during the grower period a diet including 100 mg/kg YSE improved CAT capacity in the ileum, tended to increase activities of GPx in the duodenum, and further showed enhancing tendencies in SOD and GPx abilities in ileum. Gene expressions of CAT, SOD and GPx in the ileum tended to upregulate at 100 mg/kg YSE level. In the finisher period and over the whole period, all YSE groups had a reduced FI compared to the control group without compromising BW; 100 and 200 mg/kg YSE significantly improved FCR. In conclusion, the improved growth performance of broilers during the finisher period may be due to enhanced antioxidative ability in the grower period with YSE supplementation. This study provided evidence of using YSE as an additive to enhance growth in broilers.

Dietary Yucca schidigera Extract Supplementation During Late Gestating and Lactating Sows Improves Animal Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, and Manure Ammonia Emission

“…The positive effects of dietary supplementation of YSE on growth rate, feed efficiency, and animal health during the grower period has been reported in previous studies (15)(16)(17)(18). However, there have been limited investigations focusing on the sow production.…”

Effect of an oral supplement containing curcumin extract (Longvida®) on lameness due to osteoarthritis and gastric ulcer scores

“…One ingredient in the BLP supplement used in this study was yucca schidigera . The use of yucca schidigera has been evaluated in broiler chickens as a postulated enhancer of immune function, antioxidant activity and feed intake (Ayoub et al., 2019; Sun et al., 2019). In man, yucca supplementation has been promoted as an anti‐inflammatory therapy for the relief of arthritis (Cheeke et al., 2006).…”

“…One ingredient in the BLP supplement used in this study was yucca schidigera. The use of yucca schidigera has been evaluated in broiler chickens © 2022 EVJ Ltd F. M. Andrews et al e599 as a postulated enhancer of immune function, antioxidant activity and feed intake (Ayoub et al, 2019;Sun et al, 2019).…”

Dietary Supplementation With Yucca Alleviates Heat Stress in Growing Broilers Exposed to High Ambient Temperature

“…Specifically, yucca supplementation attenuated the reduction of feed intake induced by HT during the late period of the experiment, suggesting the time-dependent role of yucca in modulating feed intake of broilers under heat stress. It was reported that under normal temperature conditions, dietary supplementation of yucca schidigera powder have no effect on feed intake in adult laying hens ( 30 ), and some even reported to have negative effects on feed intake in growing broilers ( 17 ) because of the astringent and irritating taste of saponin. It is of great interest to explore the mechanism by which yucca exerted positive effects on the feed intake of broiler chickens under stress.…”

“…Experiment was conducted for 4 weeks (aged 29–56 days). The yucca powder product (DK Sarsaponin 40) was provided by Desert King Company (Baja California, Mexico), and the dose of yucca supplementation (100 mg/kg) was recommended by this company based on previous studies on yucca ( 16 , 17 ). According to AOAC method of proximate analysis ( 18 ), the yucca powder contains 4.5% moisture, 3.2% crude protein, 26.7% crude fiber and 9% ash.…”