Microbial Muramidase supplementation in broiler diets as an alternative for enhancing poultry health and performance.
Introduction
As the poultry industry strives to meet consumer demands for food safety and animal welfare, finding alternatives to synthetic feed additives and unnecessary breeding techniques has become a priority. High feed efficiency and rapid growth are key objectives in modern poultry production, but they must be balanced with considerations for gastrointestinal health. The optimal function of the gastrointestinal system is crucial for the overall health and performance of broiler chickens. A stable balance between the microbiota and the host’s intestinal tract is essential for maintaining physiological functions that contribute to better health, performance, and welfare.
In the pursuit of efficient animal nutrition, the supplementation of exogenous enzymes has become a common practice. These enzymes aid in breaking down antinutritional components and improving the digestibility of feed. One such enzyme of interest is microbial muramidase (MUR), which hydrolyzes peptidoglycans (PGNs) found in bacterial cell walls. PGNs can have pro-inflammatory effects in the gastrointestinal tract, and their efficient degradation by MUR may positively influence intestinal health.
Study
Materials & Methods
Four hundred 1-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks were divided into four nutritional treatments, each with varying levels of MUR supplementation. The chickens’ growth performance, fatty acid profile in breast muscles, intestinal morphology, and immune status were assessed over a 35-day experimental period. Various blood biochemical parameters were measured to evaluate the impact of MUR on overall health and immunity.
Results and Discussion
- The study revealed that MUR supplementation had no significant impact on broiler chicken growth during different age periods. However, the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was influenced by MUR supplementation at specific time points, suggesting a quadratic relationship between MUR levels and FCR.
- The fatty acid profile of broiler chicken breast muscles was notably affected by MUR supplementation. The levels of beneficial n−3 and n−6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were enhanced, contributing to improved meat quality without altering sensory characteristics.
- Intestinal histological analysis demonstrated that MUR supplementation positively affected morphometric dimensions in the small intestine. Notably, the villous width, villous height, crypt depth, and muscular coat thickness were influenced by different levels of MUR. These morphological changes are indicative of improved intestinal health and function, likely due to MUR’s role in PGN degradation and subsequent modulation of the inflammatory response.
- MUR supplementation also impacted the serum lipid profile. It linearly lowered total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, while increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol contents. These changes contribute to improved lipid metabolism and overall health.
- Furthermore, MUR addition led to significant improvements in immune indices. Blood concentrations of total protein, albumin, globulin, interleukin-10 (IL10), complement 3, and lysozyme activity increased with higher levels of MUR supplementation. These changes suggest enhanced immunity and immune responses.
Conclusions
- The study’s findings suggest that microbial muramidase (MUR) can be added to broiler chicken diets to improve various aspects of chicken health and performance.
- MUR supplementation positively influenced fatty acid profiles in breast muscles, intestinal morphology, serum lipid profiles, and immune parameters.
- These effects contribute to better meat quality, intestinal health, and overall immunity in broiler chickens.
- Although MUR did not have a significant impact on growth, its multifaceted benefits make it a valuable addition to poultry nutrition strategies.
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Source: Abstract taken and modified from “Amer SA, Farahat M, Gouda A, Abdel-Wareth AAA, Abdel-Warith A-WA, Younis EM, Elshopakey GE, Baher WM, Saleh GK, Davies SJ, et al. New Insights into the Effects of Microbial Muramidase Addition in the Diets of Broiler Chickens. Animals. 2023″