Assessment Of Dietary Oxygen Activated Calcium Carbonate As An Alternative To Antibiotic On Growth Performance And Some Physiological And Histological Features Of Broiler Chicks

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of using graded levels of oxygen activated calcium carbonate (BioAktiv) which has the similar chemical composition of limestone, but has undergone a special treatment, in comparison to antibiotic on growth performance, serum metabolites, digestive enzymes activity and histological observations of liver and intestine in broiler chicks. Two hundred twenty five, one-dold Hubbard broiler chicks were randomly allocated to five groups. The first group was served as control and fed the basal diet. While, the 2nd, 3rd and 4th groups were received the basal diet supplemented with 250, 500 and 750ppm BioAktiv, respectively. The 5th one was given the basal diet provided with 500ppm Flavophospholipol (commercial pharmastim 4%) antibiotic. Chicks were received the 5 experimental treatments up to the age of 35 d. The results showed that, highly significant increase (p<0.01) in the serum concentration of total proteins, globulin and phosphorus was observed in groups received the different levels of BioAktiv compared to those of the untreated and antibiotic ones and the effect was more prominent with 500 and 750ppm. Likewise, the values of serum T3 level and T3/T4 ratio; however, T4 level was insignificantly differed among whole groups. On the other hand, dietary BioAktiv addition had hypolipemic and hypocholesterolemic effects, but had no effect on liver and kidney functions. The highest (p<0.01) digestive enzyme activities (amylase, protease) were reported for chicks of 750ppm BioAktiv followed by those of 500ppm. While, the control group was the lowest. Chicks given different levels of BioAktiv recorded higher live body weight (LBW) and body weight gain (BWG) as well as better feed conversion ratio (FCR) comparable to their counterparts of both antibiotic and control groups. The histological observations showed that BioAktiv administration has no deleterious effect on liver tissues. As well, it has increased the intestinal villus dimensions (length, width and height), as well as number of villi, comparable to shorter and fewer villi for both antibiotic and control groups. These findings imply that, BioAktiv may consider a safe antibiotic alternative feed additive, having affirmative effect on gastrointestinal tract (GIT) health, growth performance and the physiological homeostasis of broiler chicks. Key words: broiler, BioAktiv, serum, T3, GIT enzymes, growth, histology.