The effect of a Chlorella by-product dietary supplement on immune response, antioxidant status, and intestinal mucosal morphology of broiler chickens

Today there are increasing trends to search for new feed materials or feed additives possessing health benefits for animals and poultry. The present study was conducted to determine the effects of aChlorellaby-product (CBP) on humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, antioxidant status and intestinal mucosal morphology of broiler chickens. Seventy-two Ross 308 male broilers with an initial average weight of 662.7 g at 22 days of age were divided into 3 treatments with 4 replicates of 6 chicks. Treatment groups were as follows: control with 0% CBP and two CBP receiving groups with 10 and 20 g kg(-1)supplementation. Broilers with 10 g kg(-1)CBP in the feed showed the highest total antibody and immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers against sheep red blood cells as well as higher cutaneous hypersensitivity response as compared with other groups. Increase in serum superoxide dismutase activity and decrease in malondialdehyde concentration were observed in birds with 20 g kg(-1)CBP. Villus height and crypt depth were increased significantly by 10 g kg(-1)CBP supplement. Taken together, the results of the current experiment indicated that promotion of immune function, improved antioxidant status, and enhancement of intestinal mucosal morphology could be achieved by supplementation of the diet with CBP. Hence, CBP has the potential to be used as a valuable feed supplement in particular at 10 g kg(-1)to improve general health of broilers.