Evaluation of polyherbal formulation and synthetic choline chloride on choline deficiency model in broilers: implications on zootechnical parameters, serum biochemistry and liver histopathology

Abstract

ObjectiveThe study was designed to establish choline deficiency model (CDM) in broilers for evaluating efficacy of polyherbal formulation (PHF) in comparison with synthetic choline chloride (SCC).MethodsA total of 2,550 one-day-old Cobb 430 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to different groups in three experiments. In experiment 1, G1 and G2 served as normal controls and were fed a basal diet with 100% soybean meal (SBM) as a major protein source supplemented with and without SCC, respectively. In G3, G4, G5, and G6 groups, SBM was replaced at 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% by soy protein isolate (SPI) to induce a graded level of choline deficiency. In experiment 2, PHF (500 and 1,000 g/ton) in comparison with SCC (1,000 g/ton) were evaluated. In experiment 3, dose-response of PHF (200, 400, and 500 g/ton) with SCC (400 g/ton) was determined.ResultsReplacement of SBM by SPI produced a linear decrease in body weight gain (BWG) with a poor feed conversion ratio (FCR). 25% SBM replacement by SPI yielded an optimum negative impact on BWG and FCR; hence, it is considered for further studies. In experiment 2, PHF (500 and 1,000 g/ton) and SCC (1,000 g/ton) showed a similar performance in BWG, FCR and relative liver weight. In experiment 3, PHF produced an optimum efficacy at 400 g/ton and was comparable to SCC in the restoration of serum aspartate aminotransferase activity, abdominal fat, breast muscle lipid content and liver histopathological abnormalities.ConclusionReplacement of SBM by SPI caused choline deficiency characterised by worsening of BWG, FCR, elevation in liver enzymes and histopathological changes indicating fatty liver. CDM was found valid for evaluating SCC and PHF. It is concluded that PHF has the potential to mimic biological activities of SCC through the restoration of negative effects caused by CDM.

Modulatory effect of Kolin PlusTM, a polyherbal formulation on muscle growth development in choline deficient diet model of broilers: a microarray approach

“…In our previous report, we investigated the choline-like effect of PHF using CCD diet model developed by the substitution of intact SBM by soy protein isolate (defatted SBM). 13 Growth performance, FCR and breast yield were improved by PHF supplementation. The productivity of farm animals is directly related to the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating skeletal muscle growth and development.…”

“…17 However, the inability to synthesize adequate quantity of choline leads to nutrient deficiency mediated growth retardation, fatty liver and perosis in young growing chicks. 13,18 Moreover, synthetic choline chloride encountered several drawbacks such as less bioavailability and hygroscopicity. Due to the threat of using synthetic products, there is always a search for herbal replacer.…”

“…The detailed procedures related to groups allocation and methods used for rearing the broilers were reported previously. 13 Briefly, 900 one-day-old Cobb 430 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to six groups (5 replicates/group; 30 birds/replicate) consisting of a normal diet (ND) group as G1, CCD diet group as G2, choline chloride (CCL, 400 g/ton) group as G3 and three treatments of PHF (200, 400 and 500 g/ton) as G4, G5 and G6 respectively. CCD diet was employed to induce choline deficiency in CCD, CCL and PHF groups using 75% soya bean meal (SBM) and 25% soy protein isolate as a source of protein.…”

“…However, supplementation of PHF (400 g/ton) improved the performance parameters when compared to CCD group (bodyweight-2,135 g vs 2,051 g; feed conversion ratio-1.64 vs 1.71) and CCL (400 g/ton) group (bodyweight-2,135 g vs 2,092 g; feed conversion ratio-1.64 vs 1.68). 13…”

“…We had earlier demonstrated the performance-enhanced effects of polyherbal formulation (PHF), Kolin Plus TM in broiler chickens fed with choline chloride deficient (CCD) diet. 13 To the best of our knowledge, there are no scientific reports unravelling the genes and pathways influenced by choline deficiency in broiler chickens. In the current study, we used gene expression profiling by microarray to test our hypothesis that the increase in muscle growth due to supplementation of PHF is accompanied by regulation of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in broiler chickens.…”