EFFECT OF DIETARY BUTYRIN GLYCERIDES BLEND ON THE PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE, CECAL BACTERIAL POPULATION, INTESTINAL MORPHOLOGY AND GENE EXPRESSION OF BROILERS

This study examined the impact of feeding a butyrin glycerides blend (mono-di-tributyrin) on the growth metrics, caecal bacterial count, intestinal histomorphology, and gene expression of broilers. One hundred twenty-eight (one-day-old), unsexed broiler chicks (Ross 308) were weighed and randomly assigned into 4 equal groups of 32 chicks per group with four replicates (8 chicks each). Birds in G1 (control) were given a basic diet without additives, while chicks in G2 received a basic diet enriched with oxytetracycline (50 mg/kg diet). Birds in G3 & G4 were fed a basic diet supplemented with 0.25 and 0.50 grams of mono-di-tributyrin per kilogram of feed, respectively. The results showed that broilers supplemented with 0.50g/kg mono-di-tributyrin exhibited significantly improved growth parameters, such as weight gain and feed-to-gain ratio, followed by the birds in G2 supplemented with antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) oxytetracycline. Dietary supplementation of mono-di-tributyrin blend enhanced the relative weight of bursa and thymus but had no discernible effect on carcass characteristics measures. The second and fourth groups had much lower levels of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in their cecum, but the Clostridium count was unaffected. Addition of mono-di-tributyrin to broiler diets upregulated IL-10 and IGF expression genes, while oxytetracycline supplemented group showed downregulation. The highest villus length and depth were observed in the second and fourth groups. In conclusion, broiler performance and health can be improved by using a blend of butyrin glycerides (0.50g/kg) as a feed supplement.