AND LAURIC ACID ON THE IMMUNE STATUS AND INTESTINAL MORPHOLOGY OF LIPOPOLYSACHARIDE-CHALLENGED BROILER CHICKENS

This study examined the effects of a blend of antimicrobial peptides, lauric acid and betaine compound on the immune status and intestinal morphology of 84 Ross 308 broiler chicks challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Chicks were divided into four groups: a control and three blend treatment groups (0.5, 1, or 1.5 ml/L). On day 28, half the birds in each group received an intra-peritoneal LPS injection (0.1 mL of E. coli O127:B8 LPS at 100 μg/kg), while the others received saline. Blend supplementation had varied effects based on the challenge. In LPS-challenged broilers, it raised the total protein, GSH-Px, and IgG, while decreasing creatinine, uric acid, cholesterol, and glucose. No significant changes were detected in T-AOC, T-SOD, MDA, IgA, IgM, or NDV titer. For saline-treated broilers, blend supplementation improved GSH-Px, T-AOC, T-SOD, IgA, IgG, IgM, and NDV titer, with no effect on MDA. Compared to saline injection, LPS injection elevated serum IL-6 while decreasing IL-4 and IL-10 concentrations, with no significant effect on the IL-1β and TNF-α. However, within LPS-challenged groups, blend supplementation notably lowered IL-1β and TNF-α (P < 0.01) and increased IL-4 and IL-10. In saline-treated groups, blend supplementation generally reduced serum levels of all measured interleukins and TNF-α. Furthermore, LPS challenge caused severe jejunal villus damage, characterized by reduced necrosis and epithelial desquamation. Blend treatment improved these intestinal alterations, significantly mitigating the LPS-induced villi, and resulting in the shallowest jejunal crypt depth. These findings suggest that the blend compound significantly enhanced serum biochemical, antioxidant, and immune parameters, modulated inflammatory cytokines, and improved intestinal morphology in broilers.