Azizi Mohammad Naeem, Loh Teck Chwen, Foo Hooi Ling, Izuddin Wan Ibrahim
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia.
Department of Pre-clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Afghanistan National Agricultural Sciences and Technology University, Kandahar 3801, Afghanistan.
Vet World. 2025 Feb;18(2):508-518. doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2025.508-518. Epub 2025 Feb 27.
Seaweeds, particularly brown seaweed (BS) and green seaweed (GS), are rich in bioactive compounds that may enhance poultry health and productivity. This study evaluates the effects of dietary BS and GS on blood plasma immunoglobulin concentrations, mucosal immunity, small intestine histomorphology, cecal microbial populations, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) profiles in broiler chickens.
A total of 504 one-day-old male broilers were randomly assigned to 12 dietary treatments: A negative control (basal diet), a positive control (basal diet + 100 mg/kg Vitamin E), and diets supplemented with BS and GS at 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00%, and 1.25%. The study followed a completely randomized design, with data analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance and Duncan's multiple range test (p < 0.05).
Broilers fed 0.75%, 1.00%, and 1.25% GS exhibited significantly higher (p < 0.05) blood plasma immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations. Dietary BS and GS inclusion upregulated messenger RNA expression of interleukin-6, interleukin-10, and interferon-gamma, indicating immunomodulatory effects. Jejunal villus height was significantly increased in birds fed 0.50%, 0.75%, and 1.25% BS during the starter period. Birds receiving 0.50% BS, 0.25% GS, and 0.50% GS exhibited higher cecal counts, whereas 0.75% BS and GS significantly reduced populations. Furthermore, higher total VFA and propionic acid concentrations were observed in birds supplemented with 1.00% and 1.25% GS, as well as 1.25% BS.
The inclusion of GS (0.75%, 1.00%, and 1.25%) in broiler diets enhances immune response by increasing IgA and IgG levels. Both BS and GS positively modulate cytokine expression, intestinal morphology, and microbial balance, leading to improved gut health. The results suggest that BS and GS supplementation may serve as sustainable feed additives to enhance broiler performance while reducing reliance on synthetic supplements. Future studies should focus on identifying the bioactive compounds responsible for these effects and their broader implications for poultry production.
海藻，尤其是褐藻（BS）和绿藻（GS），富含生物活性化合物，可能会增强家禽的健康和生产性能。本研究评估了日粮中添加BS和GS对肉鸡血浆免疫球蛋白浓度、黏膜免疫、小肠组织形态学、盲肠微生物种群以及挥发性脂肪酸（VFA）谱的影响。
总共504只1日龄雄性肉鸡被随机分配到12种日粮处理组：一个阴性对照组（基础日粮）、一个阳性对照组（基础日粮 + 100 mg/kg维生素E），以及添加了0.25%、0.50%、0.75%、1.00%和1.25%的BS和GS的日粮。该研究采用完全随机设计，数据使用单因素方差分析和邓肯多重范围检验进行分析（p < 0.05）。
饲喂0.75%、1.00%和1.25% GS的肉鸡血浆免疫球蛋白A（IgA）和免疫球蛋白G（IgG）浓度显著更高（p < 0.05）。日粮中添加BS和GS上调了白细胞介素 - 6、白细胞介素 - 10和干扰素 - γ的信使核糖核酸表达，表明具有免疫调节作用。在育雏期，饲喂0.50%、0.75%和1.25% BS的肉鸡空肠绒毛高度显著增加。接受0.50% BS、0.25% GS和0.50% GS的肉鸡盲肠菌数更高，而0.75%的BS和GS显著降低了菌数。此外，在添加1.00%和1.25% GS以及1.25% BS的肉鸡中观察到更高的总VFA和丙酸浓度。
在肉鸡日粮中添加0.75%、1.00%和1.25%的GS可通过提高IgA和IgG水平增强免疫反应。BS和GS均对细胞因子表达、肠道形态和微生物平衡产生积极调节作用，从而改善肠道健康。结果表明，添加BS和GS可作为可持续的饲料添加剂来提高肉鸡生产性能，同时减少对合成添加剂的依赖。未来的研究应专注于确定造成这些影响的生物活性化合物及其对家禽生产的更广泛影响。
