Effect of in ovo Feeding and Dietary Feeding of Silybum marianum Extract on Performance, Immunity and Blood Cation-Anion Balance of Broiler Chickens Exposed to High Temperatures

Iranian Journal of Applied Animal Science

مقاله 28، دوره 6، شماره 3، آذر 2016، صفحه 697-705   

نویسندگان

A. Zarei^{* 1}؛ M. Morovat²؛ M. Chamani³؛ A.A. Sadeghi³؛ P. Dadvar⁴

¹Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran

²Young Researchers and Elite Club, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

³Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

⁴Department of Animal Science, Ramin Agricultural and Natural Resources University, Mollasani, Ahvaz, Iran

چکیده

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of in ovo feeding (IOF) and dietary feeding of Silybum marianum (SM) extract on the immunity of chicken under heat stress conditions. A total of 360 fertile eggs from a commercial broiler breeder (Ross-308) farm was used for in ovo feeding of 0, 100 and 200 mg/L SM water extract at day 17.5 of incubation. After hatching, 240 chicks were transferred to the experimental cages. Two types of diet were used; one of them without extract and the other one containing 100 mg/kg of SM extract. Then chicks were exposed to elevated temperatures 4 ˚C above optimum from 7 to 28 days of age for 4 h daily and then they were kept at the optimum temperature. The chicks were divided into six treatments with four replicates as a completely randomized design with 2 × 3 factorial arrangement. The results showed that chicks fed diet containing the extract had the highest feed intake, daily weight gain and final body weight and lowest feed conversion ratio (P<0.01). At 28 and 42 days, dietary feeding of the extract increased the relative weights of bursa (P<0.05), thymus and spleen (P<0.01) significantly. Results showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in antibody titer against infectious bursal disease (IBD) by feeding extract. White blood cell counts was significantly higher (P<0.01), and heterophile/lymphocyte(Het/Lym) ratio was lower in dietary-feeding SMextract treatments (P<0.01). The dietary feeding of extract increased blood cationic charge (Na⁺ and K⁺) at 28 d and led to increase cation-anion equation (P<0.01). However at 42 d, effect of dietary feeding of extract on these parameters was not significant. The ash percentage was significantly higher in chicks fed 100 mg/kg of extract at 28 d (P<0.01). It seems that dietary feeding of the extract to broiler chickens considerably increased immunity response under elevated temperatures, but in ovo feeding of the extract had no much impact on immunity parameters.

کلیدواژه‌ها

antibody titer؛ cation-anion equation؛ elevated temperatures؛ incubation

اصل مقاله

INTRODUCTION

The pursuant to improvement of avian embryos and hatched chicks are affected by the yolk nutrient situation (Al-Murrani, 1982). Many nutrients have considerable structural, physiological, and immunological functions in avian embryogenesis and growth performance. In ovo feeding of nutrients may help beard any limitations of insufficient egg nutrition. During early development, there is rapid oxidative metabolism that results in production of a large amount of free radicals in many tissues that will make them more susceptible to oxidative damage. Antioxidants are a crucial defense against these free radicals. The developing embryo may use antioxidants found in the yolk in order to lessen the influence of free radicals. Some researchers represented that in ovo feeding of vitamin E, at day 14 of incubation at the time of increasing fatty acid oxidation, could be instrumental in decreasing the production of free radicals (Cherian et al. 1997; Cherian and Sim, 1992; Cherian and Sim, 1997). Tullett (1990) reported that incubated eggs and their embryos may be subjected to stress caused by extreme production of metabolic heat during the latter part of egg incubation, producing some internal environmental stress for embryo, which may be not proper for the embryo to hatch successfully. In addition, one of the most important stressors in poultry production, especially in tropical regions is hot weather, and the poultry are susceptible to environmental challenges correlated to temperature, particularly heat stress. In addition, the modern poultry genotypes are producing more body heat because of their further metabolic activity (Deeb and Cahaner, 2002). Therefore in ovo feeding of some herbs as an anti-stress factor may be useful. One of these herbs is known as Silybum marianum (Milk thistle) and its polyphenolic compound extract from fruits and seeds that is known as Silymarin Loguercio and Festi (2011). Its active components are flavonolignans (Ding et al. 2001). It has been reported that flavonoid components are caused to sustain immunity system by increasing vitamin C activity and antibacterial impact in animals (Cook and Samman, 1996); also Silymarin stimulates the immunity to infectious diseases (Wilasrusmee et al. 2002). Studies showed that using Silymarin in poultry diets decreases aflatoxin toxicity (Tedesco et al. 2004). In recent studies, Silybum marianum has been distinguished as an effective component for treating many diseases such as cancer, bone hollow, fatty liver and diabetes (Thelen et al. 2004; Lucena et al. 2002). The seeds of this plant contained betaine, 3-methyl Glycine and a large amount of oil (about 20%) that have an anti-inflammatory effect and will decrease hepatic disorders (Hadolin et al. 2001). Natural antioxidants corroborate body defense system against oxidative stresses and consequently decreasing damages due to free radicals; also antioxidant substances are preventing fat peroxidation of membrane immunity cells and by keeping cell membrane mobility are inhibiting body immunity system weakness (Yang et al. 2001). Liu (1999) expressed that broiler nutrient needs for immunity may not be parallel to those for growth, so application of immuno-stimulants is one solution to improve the immunity of animals and to reduce their susceptibility to infectious diseases.

 

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Silybum marianum water extract composition was analyzed in advance via HPLC by Qingdao BNP Co., Ltd (Qingdao, China). This commercial silymarin extract contains Silymarin (≥80%) and Silybin isomers (≥30%) and its solvents are acetone and water. The preparation of in ovo solutions was done by dissolving the extract in distilled water. So that the stock solution (200 mg/L density) (w/v) was obtained by dissolving 200 mg of the extract in 1 liter of distilled water. Then for providing the 100 mg/L density solution, a proportion of the stock solution was poured in a separate vessel and was diluted by twice volume of distilled water. A total number of 360 eggs were gained from broiler breeder strain (Ross-308) at 43 weeks of age and used for in ovo feeding (IOF) of Silybum marianum water extract. Eggs were incubated at 37.8 ˚C and 63% RH, then at day 17.5of incubation the eggs were candled, the infertile ones were omitted, the fertilized eggs were weighed on a balancer to 0.1 g precision. The eggs were distributed into three groups (each group 120 eggs) with an equal weight frequency of 55 ± 1 g and then 1 mL of the mentioned solutions injected into amniotic fluid using a 21-gauge needle. The IOF procedure was performed as described by Tako et al. (2004). On the completion of the injections, the injection holes were sealed with molten paraffin and the eggs were located in hatching trays. Eventually, all the eggs were returned to the hatcher until the day of hatching. After hatching, chicks (n=240) were transferred to the experimental cages with floor pens bedded with soft wood shavings and given ad libitum access to water and a commercial diet for the first (from d 1 to d 21) and second (from d 22 to d 42) periods (Table 1). The diet included of two types; one of them without extract and the other one containing 100 mg/kg of Silybum marianum extract. The diets were formulated on the basis of Ross strain recommendations (NRC, 1994). The chicks were distributed into six treatments with four replicates (10 chicks/replicate) each. The experimental dietary treatments were as follows:

1. In ovo feeding of no extract solution (distilled water) with a control diet (without extract)

2. In ovo feeding of no extract solution (distilled water) with a diet containing 100 mg extract/kg

3. In ovo feeding of 100 mg/L extract solution with a control diet (without extract)

4. In ovo feeding of 100 mg/L extract solution with a diet containing 100 mg extract/kg

5. In ovo feeding of 200 mg/L extract solution with a control diet (without extract)

6. In ovo feeding of 200 mg/L extract solution with a diet containing 100 mg extract/kg

 

Table 1 Ingredient composition and calculated values of the basal diets (as fed basis)

 

¹ Supplied per kg of diet: Antioxidant (ethoxyquin):100 mg; Biotin: 0.2 mg; Calcium pantothenate: 12.8 mg; Cholecalciferol: 60 g; Cyanocobalamin: 0.017 mg; Folic acid: 5.2 mg; Menadione: 4 mg; Niacin: 35 mg; Pyridoxine: 10 mg; Trans-retinol: 1240 mg; Riboflavin: 12 mg; Thiamine: 3.0 mg; DL-tocopheryl acetate: 60 mg; Choline chloride: 638 mg; Co: 0.3 mg; Cu: 3 mg; Fe: 25 mg; I: 1 mg; Mn: 125 mg; Mo: 0.5 mg; Se: 200 g and Zn: 60 mg.

 

The elevated temperature condition (optimum temperature+4 ˚C) was set from 7 days of age for all chicks for 4 hours a day (12-16 o’clock). The high temperature was discontinued after 28 days, but the diets were not changed. The birds were kept according to the Iranian Council of Animal Care guidelines (1995). During the experiment, body weight (BW), feed intake, and feed conversion were recorded every week. All chicks were vaccinated against IBD (Infectious Bursal Disease) (Cevac Sant Animal) on d 16 and Newcastle Disease (ND) (Lohmann Animal Health Gmbh and Co. KG) for 2 periods on days 8 and 22 via drinking water. At 28 and 42 days of age birds were starved for 6 h before slaughtering and two chicks from each pen were slaughtered. Chickens were slaughtered by decapitation, plucked and eviscerated, then, the relative weights (% of BW) of immunity segments (bursa, thymus and spleen) of chickens were noted.At 42 day of age, four blood samples were randomly taken from each treatment after slaughtering from the neck artery; the samples were centrifuged at 1500 g for 10 min and the serum was transferred into vials and stored at -20 ˚C. The serum samples were analyzed for antibody titer, Na, K and Cl values. Also 4 blood samples contain anticoagulant per each treatment were taken for evaluating blood cell counts of broilers. Antibody titer against NDV was measured using Hemagglutination Inhibition (HI) test according to Brugh et al. (1978) and by ELISA method for IBD vaccine titer. At 28 and 42 days of age, after slaughtering, the left tibia of each carcass was separated completely from meat and then their length was measured by a caliper (in mm). Also for measuring the ash percentage, bones were placed in the oven with 80 ˚C temperature for 24 h, afterward their fat was extracted by Soxhlet apparatus and again the free fat bones were placed in the oven for 24 h. The weight of these dry free fat bones is the initial weight of samples. Thereupon bones were crushed and placed in an electrical oven with 600 ˚C temperature for 8 h when the bones became white, again samples were weighed and the ash weight (g) was obtained. Finally the ash percentage was calculated by the following formula:

Bone ash (%)= Ash weight (g) / dry sample weight (g)

Data were analyzed using thegeneralized linear models (GLM) procedures of SAS (2005) to determine statistical differences between the treatments. This test was designed for all parameters as a completely randomized 2 × 3 factorial design. Differences between the treatments were compared by Tukey test following ANOVA and the values were considered statistically significant at (P<0.05).

 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Average feed consumption, daily BW gain, feed conversion, and final body weight of the chickens in the two different periods of feeding are provided in Table 2. No differences were observed over the 7-42 d period for the daily feed consumption in IOF treatments. Also, daily feed consumption was not influenced by dietary feeding of the extract between the 7-42 d periods. Investigating interactions between IOF and dietary feeding of the extract between 7-42 d, there were no differences for feed consumption. It seems that the presence of the extract in the diet decreases the effects of high temperature on feed consumption. No differences were observed for the effect of IOF of the extract on daily weight gain (DWG) between 7-42 d. However dietary feeding of the extract increased DWG between 7-42 d (P<0.01). Also the interaction effects showed that DWG at different periods was influenced by dietary feeding of extract and was higher in dietary feeding of extract groups than those without feeding extract (P<0.01). Chickens fed the extract containing diet had the highest final BW (P<0.01). The feed conversion of chickens was not affected by IOF extract and no significant differences were observed between the treatments. However feed conversion was declined by dietary feeding of the extract between 7-42 d which was due to higher final BW (P<0.01) of the birds at similar diet intakes.

 

Table 2 The effect of dietary feeding and in ovo feeding of Silybum marianum extract on performance of broiler chickens maintained under high temperature conditions for 7-42 d¹

 

¹ Data are means of 4 replicate pens of 10 birds each.

The means within the same column with at least one common letter, do not have significant difference (P>0.05 or P>0.01).

* (P<0.05) and ** (P<0.01).

BW: body weight.

NS: non significant.

SEM: standard error of the means.

 

The lowest feed conversion was observed in chickens fed with extract between 7-42 d (P<0.01). Recently some researchers reported that broilers under chronic heat stress conditions experienced a significant reduction in feed intake (-16.4%), lower body weight (-32.6%) and higher feed conversion ratio (+25.6%) at 42 days of age (Sohail et al. 2012; Deng et al. 2012). However, the results of this study showed that dietary feeding of Silybum marianum extract could increase final body weight and daily weight gain at elevated temperatures and improve feed conversion while the IOF of the extract did not have any effect. These results are in agreement with the findings of Tedesco et al. (2004) who reported that addition of silymarin phytosome® at 600 mg/kg feed for reducing the toxicity of B1 aflatoxin resulted in increasing body weight. Similar results were also reported by other researchers who fed milk thistle to broilers and observed a more efficient feed conversion ratio (Chakarverty and Parsad, 1991; Zahid and Durrani, 2007). Zahid and Durrani (2007) fed 15 g of milk thistle/kg feed to broilers and found improved FCR (2.20) as compared to the control group (2.40). Gowda and Sastry (2000) showed significant effects of milk thistle on body weight gain and attributed the effect to the antioxidant activity that provoked protein synthesis by the bird’s enzymatic system. Higher weight gain was also reported by Chakarverty and Parsad (1991) in a milk thistle supplemented group. The accurate mechanism of improved body weight gain is not well established; although, this effect might be because of the improved immune function of the birds (e.g. higher liver, spleen and bursa weights) receiving Silybum marianum extract. The relative weights (% BW) of immune segments at 28 and 42 days are presented in Table 3. The results showed that at 28 and 42 days the weights of bursa, thymus and spleen were not affected by extract IOF, however the interaction effects showed that dietary feeding of the extract increased the relative weights of bursa (P<0.05), thymus and spleen (P<0.01) significantly. Also lower relative weights of thymus, spleen (Ghazi et al. 2012) and other lymphoid organs (Quinteiro-Filho et al. 2010; Niu et al. 2009) have been reported in laying hens and broilers under heat stress conditions. Some researchers reported that feeding flavonoid compounds in broiler chickens stimulated the growth of immune organs and caused an increase in their weights (Takahashi et al. 2000). Also Tedesco et al. (2004) and Kalorey et al. (2005) have been demonstrated the protective role of Silybum marianum on immune organ weights (bursa, thymus and spleen) against aflatoxin in broiler chickens. The results showed that extract IOF did not have any effect on antibody titer against ND and IBD, but the dietary feeding of extract increased antibody titer against IBD significantly (P<0.01).

 

Table 3 The effect of dietary feeding and in ovo feeding of Silybum marianum extract on relative weight (% of BW) of immunity segments of broiler chickens under elevated temperature after 28 and 42 days¹

 

   ¹ Data are means of 4 replicate pens of 10 birds each.

The means within the same column with at least one common letter, do not have significant difference (P>0.05 or P>0.01).

* (P<0.05) and ** (P<0.01).

BW: body weight.

NS: non significant.

SEM: standard error of the means.

 

Also the interaction effects showed the significant increment (P<0.05) of antibody titer against IBD by feeding extract (Table 4). Chand et al. (2011a) reported that Silybum marianum extract had effect on immune cells and support immune system through the strong antioxidants and collecting free radicals. In addition Wilasrusmee et al. (2002) and Thyagarajan et al. (2002) emphasized the importance of immunity stimulant role of Silybum marianum. Some researchers demonstrated that using water soluble extract of medicinal plants in broiler chickens improve blood antibody titer against ND and IBD (Maroof et al. 2012). Also, Chand et al. (2011b) expressed that adding 10 g Silybum marianum per kg diet of broiler chickens improved immune level against the ND and IBD. On the other hand, the results of cell blood counts confirm the antibody titer results, so that WBC counts were not influenced by extract IOF, whereas the Het/Lym ratio was significantly (P<0.05) lower in 100 and 200 mg/L IOF treatments. The dietary feeding of extract increased WBC counts and decreased Het/Lym ratio (P<0.01). Het/Lym ratio increases under stress conditions but it has been observed that this ratio decreased in dietary feeding treatments. Regarding to using Het/Lym ratio as an index for stress tolerance, our findings are in agreement with the results of Borges (1997) and Zulkifli and Siegel (1995). The interaction effects showed that WBC counts were significantly higher (P<0.01) and Het/Lym ratio was lower in dietary feeding extract treatments (P<0.01). The results of Table 5 showed that the extract IOF did not have any significant effect on the amount of Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^- and dietary cation anion difference (DCAD) of broiler chickens blood serum at 28 and 42 days, but at 28 d the dietary feeding of extract increased blood cationic charge (Na⁺ and K⁺) and led to increase cation-anion equation (P<0.01). However, the effect of the dietary extract on these parameters was not significant at day 42. The interaction effects also showed a similar trend and these parameters were influenced by dietary feeding of the extract. At 42 d no significant differences observed between treatments for interaction effects of IOF and the dietary extract. Since some researchers reported that certainly followed by heat stress, a reduction in blood Na and K level occurs (Ait-Boulahsen et al. 1995; Borges, 1997), but our findings express that dietary feeding of extract was effective as a factor in moderating negative effects of heat stress such as reducing blood electrolyte level and blood cationic charge until 28 days of age that heat stress conditions was existed. The length and ash percentage of tibia at 28 and 42 days is given in Table 6. Results showed that the IOF of extract did not have any significant effect on tibia measurements.

 

Table 4 The effect of dietary feeding and in ovo feeding of Silybum marianum extract on humoral immunity of broiler chickens under elevated temperature after 42 days¹

¹ Data are means of 4 replicate pens of 10 birds each.

The means within the same column with at least one common letter, do not have significant difference (P>0.05 or P>0.01).

* (P<0.05) and ** (P<0.01).

NS: non significant.

SEM: standard error of the means.

ND: Newcastle disease; IBD: infectious bursal disease; WBC: white blood cell and Het/Lym: heterophile/lymphocyte.

 

Table 5 The effect of dietary feeding and in ovo feeding of Silybum marianum extract on blood cation-anion balance of broiler chickens under elevated temperature after 28 and 42 days¹

 

      ¹ Data are means of 4 replicate pens of 10 birds each.

The means within the same column with at least one common letter, do not have significant difference (P>0.01).

** (P<0.01).

NS: non significant.

SEM: standard error of the means.

DCAB: dietary cation-anion balance.

 

Table 6 The effect of dietary feeding and in ovo feeding of Silybum marianum extract on the length (cm) and ash percentage of broiler chickens tibia under elevated temperature at 28 and 42¹

 

          ¹ Data are means of 4 replicate pens of 10 birds each.

The means within the same column with at least one common letter, do not have significant difference (P>0.01).

** (P<0.01).

NS: non significant.

SEM: standard error of the means.

 

However, at 28 d the ash percentage of tibia was significantly higher in chicks fed 100 mg extract/kg diet (P<0.01). Our results regarding the retarding effect of heat stress on tibia measurements are in agreement with the findings of Bruno et al. (2000), Bruno et al. (2007), who reported that the growth of tibia, femur and humerus was reduced by environmental temperature. In contrast, Leeson and Caston (1993) have reported a 10% increase in tibia length of 14 weeks leghorn pullets exposed to heat stress. A reduction in weights of tibia and humerus was also reported by Yalcin et al. (1996) in heat stress condition.

 

CONCLUSION

The results of present study showed that dietary feeding of Silybum marianum extract to broiler chickens under elevated temperatures increased considerably their performance, relative weights of immune segments, immunity response, ash percentage of tibia and ionic balance. It also reduced antibody titers against IBD and Het/Lym ratio. Whereas, in ovo injection of the extract had little impact on these parameters.

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We offer our thanks to chairman, vice president and personals of Islamic Azad University of Karaj and Young Researchers and Elite Clubof Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University of Tehran that had brought these research possibilities.

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