Supplementation of Bile Acids and Lipase in Broiler Diets for Better Nutrient Utilization and Performance: Potential Effects and Future Implications – A Review

Abstract

Bile acids are used for better emulsification, digestion and absorption of dietary fat in chicken, especially in early life. Similarly, exogenous lipases have also been used for the improvement of physiological limitation of the chicken digestive system. Owing to potential of both bile acids and lipases, their use has been increased in recent years, for better emulsification of dietary fat and improvement of growth performance in broilers. In the past, pancreatic lipases were used for supplementation, but recently, microbial lipase is getting attention in poultry industry as a hydrolysis catalyst. Bile acids strengthen the defence mechanism of body against bacterial endotoxins and also play a key role in lipid regulation and sugar metabolism as signaling molecules. It has been demonstrated that bile acids and lipases may improve feed efficiency by enhancing digestive enzyme activity and ultimately leading to better fat digestion and absorption. Wide supplemental range of bile acids (0.004% to 0.25%) and lipases (0.01% to 0.1%) have been used in broiler diets for improvement of fat digestibility and their performance. Combinations of different bile acids have shown more potential to improve feed efficiency (by 7.14%) even at low (0.008%) levels as compared to any individual bile acid. Lipases at a lower level of 0.03% have exhibited more promising potential to improve fat digestibility and feed efficiency. However, contradicting results have been published in literature, which needs further investigations to elucidate various nutritional aspects of bile acids and lipase supplementation in broiler diet. This review focuses on providing insight on the mechanism of action and potential application of bile acids and lipases in broiler diets. Moreover, future implications of these additives in poultry nutrition for enhancing nutrient utilization and absorption are also discussed.

Integrative analysis of gut microbiome and metabolome reveals the growth rate differences in Dezhou donkeys

“…In the fast-growing donkeys, the primary bile acid biosynthesis pathway was significantly enriched, and its intermediate metabolites (e.g., 3α,7α,26-Trihydroxy-5β-cholestane, 7α-Hydroxy-5βcholestan-3-one) were up-regulated and positively correlated with growth rate, suggesting that these metabolites may enhance fat digestion and absorption to support rapid growth. This finding is generally consistent with studies showing that bile acids improve feed efficiency and growth rate in piglets [75] and broilers [76]. Furthermore, folate (vitamin B9) plays a role in DNA synthesis and protein metabolism, and is crucial for both the gut microbiota and animals.…”

Integrative analysis of gut microbiome and metabolome reveals the growth rate differences in Dezhou donkeys

“…In the fast-growing donkeys, the primary bile acid biosynthesis pathway was significantly enriched, and its intermediate metabolites (e.g., 3α,7α,26-Trihydroxy-5β-cholestane, 7α-Hydroxy-5βcholestan-3-one) were up-regulated and positively correlated with growth rate, suggesting that these metabolites may enhance fat digestion and absorption to support rapid growth. This finding is generally consistent with studies showing that bile acids improve feed efficiency and growth rate in piglets [75] and broilers [76]. Furthermore, folate (vitamin B9) plays a role in DNA synthesis and protein metabolism, and is crucial for both the gut microbiota and animals.…”

Effects of protease and lipase supplementation in starter diet on growth performance, small intestine morphology, and immunity in young broilers

“…However, by day 5, supplementation with protease alone resulted in an increase in relative yolk sac weight. The yolk sac, which contains approximately 35–40% lipids, mainly in the form of triglycerides at hatching ( Wang et al, 2020 ), suggests that lipase supplementation in young chicks with an underdeveloped digestive system may enhance fat digestion ( Arshad et al, 2021 ). Interestingly, the reduction in yolk sac residue at day 5 following lipase supplementation was observed only in diets without protease, possibly due to the lower feed intake in protease-fed birds or to interactions between protease and lipase activities.…”

Interactive Effects of Cassava Starch Residue and Multi‐Enzyme Supplementation on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, Blood Metabolites and Cecal Microbiota of Broilers

“…The improved bile weight in enzyme‐supplemented groups may indicate enhanced fat digestion and absorption capacity. Increased bile secretion has been associated with improved lipid emulsification and nutrient absorption efficiency, which supports improved feed efficiency and metabolic utilization of dietary energy [30, 31]. Furthermore [2], has also reported that enzyme supplementation can induce physiological changes in the liver and associated digestive organs, though results are often variable depending on the enzyme formulation and dietary context.…”

Integrative analysis of gut microbiome and metabolome reveals the growth rate differences in Dezhou donkeys

“…In the fast-growing donkeys, the primary bile acid biosynthesis pathway was significantly enriched, and its intermediate metabolites (e.g., 3α,7α,26-Trihydroxy-5β-cholestane, 7α-Hydroxy-5βcholestan-3-one) were up-regulated and positively correlated with growth rate, suggesting that these metabolites may enhance fat digestion and absorption to support rapid growth. This finding is generally consistent with studies showing that bile acids improve feed efficiency and growth rate in piglets [75] and broilers [76]. Furthermore, folate (vitamin B9) plays a role in DNA synthesis and protein metabolism, and is crucial for both the gut microbiota and animals.…”

Effects of protease and lipase supplementation in starter diet on growth performance, small intestine morphology, and immunity in young broilers

“…However, by day 5, supplementation with protease alone resulted in an increase in relative yolk sac weight. The yolk sac, which contains approximately 35–40% lipids, mainly in the form of triglycerides at hatching ( Wang et al, 2020 ), suggests that lipase supplementation in young chicks with an underdeveloped digestive system may enhance fat digestion ( Arshad et al, 2021 ). Interestingly, the reduction in yolk sac residue at day 5 following lipase supplementation was observed only in diets without protease, possibly due to the lower feed intake in protease-fed birds or to interactions between protease and lipase activities.…”

Interactive Effects of Cassava Starch Residue and Multi‐Enzyme Supplementation on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, Blood Metabolites and Cecal Microbiota of Broilers

“…The improved bile weight in enzyme‐supplemented groups may indicate enhanced fat digestion and absorption capacity. Increased bile secretion has been associated with improved lipid emulsification and nutrient absorption efficiency, which supports improved feed efficiency and metabolic utilization of dietary energy [30, 31]. Furthermore [2], has also reported that enzyme supplementation can induce physiological changes in the liver and associated digestive organs, though results are often variable depending on the enzyme formulation and dietary context.…”

Integrative analysis of gut microbiome and metabolome reveals the growth rate differences in Dezhou donkeys

“…In the fast-growing donkeys, the primary bile acid biosynthesis pathway was significantly enriched, and its intermediate metabolites (e.g., 3α,7α,26-Trihydroxy-5β-cholestane, 7α-Hydroxy-5βcholestan-3-one) were up-regulated and positively correlated with growth rate, suggesting that these metabolites may enhance fat digestion and absorption to support rapid growth. This finding is generally consistent with studies showing that bile acids improve feed efficiency and growth rate in piglets [75] and broilers [76]. Furthermore, folate (vitamin B9) plays a role in DNA synthesis and protein metabolism, and is crucial for both the gut microbiota and animals.…”

Effects of protease and lipase supplementation in starter diet on growth performance, small intestine morphology, and immunity in young broilers

“…However, by day 5, supplementation with protease alone resulted in an increase in relative yolk sac weight. The yolk sac, which contains approximately 35–40% lipids, mainly in the form of triglycerides at hatching ( Wang et al, 2020 ), suggests that lipase supplementation in young chicks with an underdeveloped digestive system may enhance fat digestion ( Arshad et al, 2021 ). Interestingly, the reduction in yolk sac residue at day 5 following lipase supplementation was observed only in diets without protease, possibly due to the lower feed intake in protease-fed birds or to interactions between protease and lipase activities.…”

Interactive Effects of Cassava Starch Residue and Multi‐Enzyme Supplementation on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, Blood Metabolites and Cecal Microbiota of Broilers

“…The improved bile weight in enzyme‐supplemented groups may indicate enhanced fat digestion and absorption capacity. Increased bile secretion has been associated with improved lipid emulsification and nutrient absorption efficiency, which supports improved feed efficiency and metabolic utilization of dietary energy [30, 31]. Furthermore [2], has also reported that enzyme supplementation can induce physiological changes in the liver and associated digestive organs, though results are often variable depending on the enzyme formulation and dietary context.…”