Department of Animal Science, Animal Science and Food Technology Faculty, Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan, Ahvaz, Iran.
Vet Med Sci. 2021 Mar;7(2):491-499. doi: 10.1002/vms3.386. Epub 2020 Nov 7.
This study was conducted to evaluate effects of a sweet almond meal (SAM) as a source of protein on performance and immune responses of broiler chickens. Treatments consisted of different levels of SAM (7%, 14%, 21% and 28% of diet) and control diet that was performed in a completely randomized design in 42 days. Body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI) were recorded weekly. Carcass characteristics and blood variables were measured on the 42 day of age. Immune response to sheep red blood cell (SRBC) was assessed at d 35 and d 42 (7 days after each injection). White blood cell count was done at d 28. The results showed that chickens fed 28% of SAM had lowest FI during the experiment. During grower period and also whole period of experiment, BWG was highest in chickens that consumed 7% SAM. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) significantly increased in chickens fed 28% SAM compared to the other treatments during grower period and also whole period of the experiment. The relative weight of thigh and breast significantly decreased and the relative weight of GIT increased by increasing levels of SAM in the diet. The concentration of cholesterol and LDL significantly decreased in chickens that consumed SAM in the diet. However, the highest glucose and HDL concentration were observed in chickens fed 28% SAM in the diet. Treatments did not have a significant effect on the immune response of broilers (primary and secondary SRBC antibody titres, relative weights of spleen and bursa of fabricius and white blood cell count) (p > 0.05). The results of this study show that a diet supplemented with SAM at the level of 14%, due to the improved FCR and decreased blood cholesterol and LDL concentration, can be a good replacement for soybean meal in broiler chicken's nutrition.
本研究旨在评估甜杏仁粉（SAM）作为蛋白质来源对肉鸡生产性能和免疫反应的影响。试验采用完全随机设计，在 42 天的试验期内设置了不同水平的 SAM（日粮的 7%、14%、21%和 28%）和对照日粮。每周记录体增重（BWG）和采食量（FI）。在第 42 天测定屠宰性能和血液变量。在第 35 天和第 42 天（每次注射后 7 天）评估绵羊红细胞（SRBC）的免疫反应。在第 28 天进行白细胞计数。结果表明，饲喂 28%SAM 的鸡在试验期间采食量最低。在生长期和整个试验期内，饲喂 7%SAM 的鸡增重最高。与其他处理组相比，在生长期和整个试验期内，饲喂 28%SAM 的鸡的饲料转化率（FCR）显著增加。随着日粮中 SAM 水平的增加，鸡的大腿和胸部相对重量显著降低，GIT 相对重量增加。日粮中添加 SAM 可显著降低鸡的胆固醇和 LDL 浓度。然而，日粮中添加 28%SAM 的鸡的葡萄糖和 HDL 浓度最高。处理组对肉鸡的免疫反应（初级和次级 SRBC 抗体效价、脾脏和法氏囊相对重量以及白细胞计数）没有显著影响（p＞0.05）。本研究结果表明，日粮中添加 14%的 SAM 可提高 FCR，降低血液胆固醇和 LDL 浓度，可作为肉鸡营养中豆粕的良好替代品。
