AUTHOR=Li Ximei , Li Jiawei , Yuan Haotian , Chen Yan , Li Shuaibing , Jiang Susu , Zha Xi Yingpai , Zhang Guohua , Lu Jianxiong 

TITLE=Effect of supplementation with Glycyrrhiza uralensis extract and Lactobacillus acidophilus on growth performance and intestinal health in broiler chickens

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Veterinary Science

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2024.1436807

DOI=10.3389/fvets.2024.1436807

ISSN=2297-1769

ABSTRACT=<p>Intestinal microbiota community is an important factor affecting the nutritional and health status of poultry, and its balance is crucial for improving the overall health of poultry. The study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with <italic>Glycyrrhiza uralensis</italic> extract (GUE), <italic>Lactobacillus acidophilus</italic> (Lac) and their combination (GL) on growth performance and intestinal health in broilers in an 84-day feeding experiment. Supplementary 0.1% GUE and 4.5×10<sup>7</sup> CFU/g Lac significantly increased average daily gain (ADG), and GL (0.1% GUE and 4.5×10<sup>7</sup> CFU/g Lac) increased ADG and average daily feed intake (ADFI), and decreased feed conversion rate (FCR) in broilers aged 29 to 84 d and 1 to 84 d. Dietary GUE, Lac and GL increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activity and decreased Malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the jejunum mucosa of broilers, and increased secretory IgA (sIgA) content in broilers at 84 d. Moreover, GUE, Lac and GL increased cecal microbial richness and diversity, and modulated microbial community composition. Both GUE and Lac reduced the harmful bacteria <italic>Epsilonbacteraeota</italic>, <italic>Helicobacter</italic>, and <italic>H. pullorum</italic> at 28 d and <italic>Proteobacteria</italic>, <italic>Escherichia</italic>, and <italic>E. coli</italic> at 84 d, while Lac and GL increased beneficial bacteria <italic>Lactobacillus</italic> and <italic>L. gallinarum</italic> at 28 d. Compared with individual supplementation, GL markedly increased the SOD activity and the sIgA content, and reduced <italic>Helicobacter</italic> and <italic>Helicobacter pullorum</italic>. In conclusion, GUE and <italic>Lactobacillus acidophilus</italic> as feed additives benefit growth performance and intestinal health, and their combined use shows an even more positive effect in broilers.</p>