AUTHOR=Al-Khalaifah Hanan S. , Al-Nasser A. , Surrayai T. 

TITLE=Effects From Dietary Addition of Sargassum sp., Spirulina sp., or Gracilaria sp. Powder on Immune Status in Broiler Chickens

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Veterinary Science

VOLUME=9

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2022.928235

DOI=10.3389/fvets.2022.928235

ISSN=2297-1769

ABSTRACT=<p>Algae are innovative and significant nutrient sources with various health benefits when used as additives in animal feed. The study aims to examine the effect of different inclusions of three algae species, <italic>Sargassum</italic> sp., <italic>Spirulina</italic> sp., and <italic>Gracilaria</italic> sp. on the immune response of broiler chickens, as measured by the cellular immune response, humoral immune response, intestinal microbial counts, hindgut acidosis, and hematological measures. Here is a list of the seven experimental treatments (TRT). TRT 1 was the control group without algae; TRT 2 was supplemented with <italic>Sargassum</italic> sp. at 1% of the diet; TRT 3 with <italic>Sargassum</italic> sp. at 2% of the diet; TRT 4 with <italic>Spirulina</italic> sp. at 5% of the diet; TRT 5 with <italic>Spirulina</italic> sp. at 7.5% of the diet; TRT 6 with <italic>Gracilaria</italic> sp. at 0.5% of the diet; and TRT 7 <italic>Gracilaria</italic> sp. at 1% of the diet. Each treatment involved five replicates with 17 broiler chickens each, and the analyses were triplicated. The results showed that including algae in the feed ration of broiler chickens induces a higher cellular response than the control group, represented by T-cell response in the wattle area (<italic>P</italic> = 0.037). <italic>Sargassum</italic> sp. at 1 and 2% enhanced IgA antibody titers significantly and <italic>Gracilaria</italic> sp. at 5% enhanced IgY antibody titers, <italic>P</italic> = 0.045 and <italic>P</italic> = 0.030, respectively. All algal inclusions inhibited the growth of <italic>Salmonella</italic> sp. and improved LAB counts in the intestine of broilers, excepting the <italic>Gracilaria</italic> sp. at 0.5%, where LAB counts were similar to the control group. The <italic>E. coli</italic> counts decreased numerically but not significantly. Blood lymphocytes were enhanced while white blood cells (WBC) and heterophils were decreased as a results of algal inclusions. In conclusion, supplementing broiler chickens with algae could enhance their cellular and humoral immune status and promote healthy microflora in their guts.</p>