Effects of Probiotic and Organic Acids with Yeast Extract on Body Weight Gain and Hemato-Biochemical Parameters in Broilers

Effects of Probiotic and Organic Acids with Yeast


Introduction
Poultry production plays an important role in solving unemployment and malnutrition.About 15% of the human population suffers from malnutrition.The success of the poultry industry depends on how rapidly the birds attain the Hemato-Biochemical Parameters in Broilers maximum marketable weight at a minimum period.The feed accounts for about 75% of the total cost of a poultry enterprise.Hence, it is necessary to improve the efficacy of feed at a minimum cost.To enhance the production of broiler additional feed supplement is necessary.The term 'probiotic' is derived from the Greek language meaning 'for life'.A probiotic refers to a live microbial feed supplement that beneficially affects the host animal by improving its microbial intestinal balance [1].The probiotic approach, therefore, advocates the supplement of food products with live microbial additions.Probiotic as feed additive enhances the immune response and stimulates growth in chickens.It increases antibody levels and macrophage activity.Thus, probiotics can be used as immunomodulators that stimulate host immunity and make them resistant to different infections.
The use of antibiotics to maintain animal well-being, enhance growth and improve efficiency has been practiced for more than 50 years.However, as early as the 1950s, scientists identified concern about the development of resistant bacteria for the antibiotics streptomycin and tetracycline used in turkeys and broilers respectively.These findings laid the groundwork for agricultural officials to impose stricter regulatory parameters on the use of antibiotics in poultry feeds.Probiotics are live microorganisms included in the diet of animals as feed additives or supplements.Commonly known as a direct-fed microbial, probiotics provide beneficial properties to the host, primarily through action in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of the animal.Supplementation of probiotics in the diet can improve animal health and performance, through contributions to gut health and nutrient use [2][3][4][5].Feed additives and nutritional supplements are attaining importance nowadays in the poultry industry, as well as in healthcare systems, because of their wide spectrum of beneficial impacts, such as promoting growth and production, immune enhancement, and health protection [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13].
Supplementing poultry diets with organic acids has become an important nutritional strategy to improve the performance and health status of poultry.Organic acids have made a tremendous contribution to the probability of intensive husbandry and are providing people with healthy and nutritious poultry products [14].Organic acids stimulate endogenous enzymes, regulate gut microbial flora, and help in maintaining animal health.The basic principle on the mode of action of organic acids on bacteria is that non-dissociated (nonionized, more lipophilic) organic acids can penetrate the bacterial cell wall and disrupt the normal physiology of certain types of bacteria [15].Organic acids, e.g., acetic, citric, lactic, formic, sorbic, ascorbic, propionic, fumaric, and malic acids have been used in diets as biotechnological agents for their positive effect on the health and growth of birds.The usage of organic acids is becoming more acceptable to feed manufacturers, poultry producers, and consumers.Organic acids also improve the digestibility and absorption of proteins, minerals, and other nutrients in the diet.Administration of organic acids decreases the pH of the gastrointestinal tract which causes maximum utilization of protein and inhibits harmful population.By modifying intestinal pH, organic acids improve the solubility of the feed ingredients resulting in increased digestion and absorption of nutrients [14,16].

Description of the Study Area
The study was conducted in "Abdur Rahim Poultry Farm", Gollamari, Khulna, Bangladesh, and Finix Agro-health Care Laboratory, Moilaputa, Khulna, Bangladesh to evaluate the effects of commercially available probiotic (Gut-pro®) and organic acids with yeast extract (Nutrilac IGA®) on the performance of broiler chicks in terms of weight gain and blood biochemical parameters.

Experimental Design
A total of 18 broiler chicks of 7 days old were randomly divided into groups A, B, and C; each consisting of 6 birds and were reared in the well-partitioned area under strict hygienic management.Group A was considered as control and fed with commercial ration and fresh drinking water.Group B was additionally supplied with a probiotic @ 1 gm.probiotic/liter of drinking water after the first week to end and Group C was also given with probiotic (Gut-pro®) and organic acids with yeast extract (Nutrilac IGA®) @ 1.5 ml/liter with the control diet.Initial body weight and body weight at 7 days intervals were recorded up to the end of the 35 days (experimental period) and the birds were sacrificed to collect blood for (ESR, Hb, and PCV) and serum for (Uric acid, Uria and Creatinine).

Experimental Birds and Diets
A total of 18 seven days old "Cobb-500" broiler chicks were purchased from CP Bangladesh Co. Ltd. and were brought to "Abdur Rahim Poultry Farm", Gollamari, Khulna, in well-ventilated paper cartons.The broiler chicks were fed with standard commercial ration (Nourish Feed) according to age.The chicks were fed with standard broiler starter, broiler grower, and broiler finisher ration of Nourish Feed, Nourish Poultry, and Hatchery Ltd.

Probiotic and Organic Acids with Yeast Extract
Gut-Pro ® with a minimum of 2×10 9 colony forming units (CFU)/ gm. was collected from Avon Animal Health Co. Ltd.The chicks were fed with Nutrilac IGA ® marketed by Novartis (Bangladesh) Ltd.

Processing of Broilers and Record Keeping
All the birds were kept without feed but water for 12 hours and allowed to bleed for 2 minutes after slaughter.Weights of organs were recorded for each bird.

Measurement of Body Weight of Birds
The body weight of each bird was measured using the balance on day 7 of age and subsequently at 7 days intervals up to the end of the experiment (day 35).

Blood Collection
A series of sterile test tubes containing anticoagulant (4% Sodium Citrate) at a ratio of 1:10 was taken.5 ml of blood was collected from each bird through slaughtering.The biochemical studies were performed within two hours of blood collection.

Collection and Preparation of Serum Samples
About 5 ml of blood was collected in the sterile glass test tubes.The blood-containing tubes were placed in a slanting position at room temperature for clotting.The tubes were then placed in the refrigerator at 4˚C overnight.The serum was collected and then stored at -20˚C until analysis.

Determination of Hematological and Biochemical Parameters
Hematological parameters, e.g., hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were determined using blood samples, whereas, biochemical parameters, e.g., urea, uric acid, and creatinine were determined from the serum samples.

Statistical Analysis
The data were collected and the Mean ± SE was calculated by using descriptive statistics.A randomized complete block (RCB) design with more than one observation per cell was applied.An analysis of variance (ANOVA) table had been constructed with the help of the computer package MSTAT for identifying any statistically significant difference among the groups.The mean difference among the treatments was determined as per Duncan's multiple-range tests [17].

Results
The effect of probiotics and organic acids with yeast extract on growth hematological and biochemical parameters was found significant in this study.

Effects on the Body Weight (gm.)
The body weight of different groups of birds is presented in Table 1  Body weight increased significantly (p˂0.01) in all groups irrespective of treatments.The highest body weight was recorded in treated group C followed by groups B and A. Significantly (p˂0.01)different body weights were recorded among the groups on all sampling days (14, 21, 28, and 35).

Effects on Organs Weight (gm.)
The weights of organs for dietary treatments are presented in Table 2.The whole meat weight in control group A was 995.36a ± 0.55 gm. and in the treated group B was 960.25b ± 0.39 gm. and in the treated group C was 905.47c ± 0.47 gm.The whole meat weight increased significantly (P˂0.01) in all groups.The whole meat weight increased slowly in the control Hemato-Biochemical Parameters in Broilers group A but higher meat weight was noticed in treated group C followed by group B. The treated group C showed an increase (P˂0.01) in liver weight (43.59a ± 1.03 gm.) compared to either group A (39.24ab ± 0.99 gm.) or group B (40.12b ± 0.47 gm.).The treated group C showed an increase (P˂0.01) in visceral weight (241.22a± 1.20 gm.) compared with either the control group A (212.36c ± 1.18 gm.) or the probiotic group B (230.40b ± 1.11 gm.).The treated group C showed an increase (P˂0.01) in skin weight (300.47a± 0.51 gm.) compared with either the control group A (229.09c ± 0.49 gm.) or probiotic group B (266.12b ± 0.77 gm.).

Effects of Hematological Parameters
The hematological parameters are presented in Table 3.The treated group B was 7.74ab ± 0.11 gm./dl and group C was 8.19a ± 0.07 gm./dl.The highest value of hemoglobin content was recorded in group C and the lowest value of hemoglobin content was in group A. The treated groups B and C had significantly (P˂0.01)higher Hb than that of the control group A. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) values of groups A, B, and C were 2.155a ± 0.005, 1.375b ± 0.065, and 0.845c ± 0.075 mm in 1st hour respectively.The lowest value was found in group C and the highest was in group A. The values of control group A were significantly (P˂0.01)increased than treated groups B and C. The values of PCV of groups A, B, and C were 20.52ab ± 0.525%, 22.07b ± 0.975%, and 24.13a ± 0.97% respectively.The highest value was found in group C and the lowest was in control group A. The value of treated group C was significantly (P˂0.01)higher than the control group A. Values with different letters in a column differ significantly (p˂0.01).

Effects of Biochemical Parameters
The biochemical parameters are presented in Table 4.The creatinine level of groups A, B, and C were 0.65b ± 0.035 mg./dl, 0.53a ± 0.11 mg./dl, and 0.51c ± 0.06 mg./dl respectively.The highest value was found in control group A and the lower values were in treated groups B and C. The value of control group A was significantly (P˂0.01)higher than the treated group B and C. Urea levels in treated group B (probiotic) and group C (probiotic and organic acid with yeast extract) were almost similar to control group A. Uric acid level in group A was 6.58ab ± 0.93 mg./dl, in group B, was 6.355b ± 0.31 mg./dl and in the group, C was 6.20a ± 0.275 mg./dl.The uric acid level in control group A was significantly (P˂0.01)higher than in the treated group B and C.

Effects on the Body Weight (gm.)
The present research was undertaken to study the growth performance and haemato-biochemical parameters of broilers fed with probiotics (Gut-Pro®) and organic acid with yeast extract (Nutrilac IGA®) through drinking water.Birds supplemented with the probiotic and organic acid with yeast extract had a greater (P ˂ 0.01) body weight compared with the control and probiotics-treated group.The increased body weight gain in the treated groups might be due to increased feed consumption, better digestion, absorption, and metabolism of supplied feed probiotics for their health and body weight.The increased weight recorded in the present study resembles with some of other investigators [18][19][20].Cavazzoni et al. [21,22] stated that body weight was higher (P˂0.05) in the probiotic-fed chickens than in the control group.However, Sjofjan's et al. [23] study can't exactly suggest the dose optimum for using this probiotic, but using probiotic as replacement of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) are not more than 1% from total feed formulation.Their findings is supported by several other researchers [24,25].But the present findings differ from Ergun et al. [26] who stated that supplementation of probiotics had no effect on body weight.

Effects on Organs Weight (gm.)
The weight of whole meat, liver, viscera, and skin weight increased significantly (P ˂ 0.01) for birds supplemented with probiotic and organic acid with yeast extract groups than the control and probiotic bird groups.The results are in agreement with the findings of Wageha et al. [27] and Bohm et al. [28].Mohnl et al. [29] stated that the liver weight was greater (P˂0.01) for probiotic and organic acid with yeast extract-fed birds compared to normal ration-fed birds.

Effects of Hematological Parameters
Packed cell volume and hemoglobin concentration increased significantly (P ˂ 0.01) in probiotic and organic acid-treated groups than the control group.The erythrocyte sedimentation rate increased (P ˂ 0.01) in the control group than in probiotic and organic acid-treated groups.The hematological parameters were decreased in the control group and higher values in the probiotic treated group resemble with some other scientists [30,31].

Effects of Biochemical Parameters
Uric acid and creatinine concentrations decreased significantly (P ˂ 0.01) in probiotic and organic acid-treated groups than the control group.Urea levels in probiotics and probiotics and organic acid with yeast extract were almost similar.Increased uric acid in the treated groups resembles Swain and Johri [32] who detected that uric acid levels increased significantly (P˂0.01) with probiotics supplementation.Kumar and Rawat [33] showed that the uric acid concentration in blood serum increased with the advancement of age.This study also agreed with Huff et al. [34] who reported that supplementation of probiotics increased uric acid and creatinine level.

Conclusions
Based on the findings of the present study on the effects of probiotic and organic acids with yeast extract on body weight gain and hemato-biochemical parameters in broilers, it can be concluded that probiotic and organic acid with yeast extract supplementation has a significant effect on growth performance and certain haemato-biochemical parameters.
Therefore, it can be used by farmers in broiler ration at an acceptable range of percentage to obtain large profit.
GroupInitial body weight (gm.)Post treatment body weight (gm.)Values with different letters in a column differ significantly (p˂0.01).

Table 2 .
Effects of probiotic (Gut-Pro) and organic acid with yeast extract (Nutrilac IGA) on the (Mean ± SE) weight of Meat yield, Liver, Viscera and Skin.

Table 3 .
Effects of probiotic (Gut-Pro ® ) and organic acid with yeast extract (Nutrilac IGA ® ) on hematological parameters in broilers.

Table 4 .
Effects of probiotic (Gut-Pro ® ) and organic acid with yeast extract (Nutrilac IGA ® ) on biochemical parameters in broilers.