Scenedesmus microalgae improves immune system and growth performance parameters in broiler chicks: In comparison with virginiamycin antibiotic

Introduction: Antibiotics usually use for improving the growth performance in broiler chicks and on the other hand they create antibiotic resistance. It is well known that microalgae can help to growth performance in broiler chicks. This study was conducted to compare the effects of Scenedesmus microalgae (SM) and virginiamycin on growth performance and immune response of broilers. Materials and methods: Birds were randomly assigned to each of 5 dietary treatments. Treatments consisted of: T1 (basal diet (BD)+ tap water), T2 (BD+ (50% tap water+50% SM), T3 (BD + (25% tap water+75% SM), T4 (BD + (0% tap water+100% SM) and T5 (BD + 25mg Virginamycin/kg diet) with 4 replicate cages of 10 birds each. The performance was recorded at 10, 24 and 42 days. Humoral immunity was measured through i.v. injection of sheep red blood cells followed by assay of serum for antibody titers in primary and secondary responses (days 28 and 42). Results: The birds receiving T3 and T4 had a higher feed intake compared with control and antibiotic groups at 1-10 d. Water replacement by 100% SM increased body weight and reduced feed conversion ratio in broilers. Inclusion of 100% SM increased antibody titer in primary and secondary responses compared to that of control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that water replacement at high levels (75 and 100%) by SM can improve growth performance, immune responses of broiler chickens.

کلیدواژه ها:

Body weight ، Broiler ، Scenedesmus microalgae ، SRBC ، Virginiamycin