PSI-10 - Effect of a plant extract mixture (pronutrients) on serum cytokines, intestinal integrity indicators and productive performance in broilers with raw soybean inclusion in the diet

Plant extracts contain active molecules called pronutrients that could replace antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) in order to improve intestinal integrity, optimize feed utilization and consequently, increase productive performance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a mixture of pronutrients on hematological parameters, serum cytokins regulation, intestinal morphology, organs weight and productive parameters. The trial was conducted with 480 one-day-old male broilers of the Ross AP 308 divided into 3 groups: Group CON - Basal diet only, Group AB supplemented with bacitracin methylene disalicylate and Halquinol continuously, and Group PR with a mixture powder of pronutrients, respectively. The experiment lasted up to the 35th day of age. 3 % of crude soybean was added to all basal diets as a challenge for intestinal integrity. All data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and P value less than 0.05 was set as statistically significant and 0.05 < P < 0.1 as tendency. A decrease of all serum cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8,IL-10) in supplemented broilers with pronutrients was observed. The intestinal morphology parameters were better (length and villi depth) and performance parameters such as feed intake, body weight and feed conversion rate (FCR) throughout the trial were improved in broilers supplemented with pronutrients (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with a natural additive based on pronutrients demonstrated to be an effective alternative to AGP to improve intestinal morphology, productive performance and regulating hematological and immune values in broilers challenged with diets containing raw soybean.