Effect of Dietary Synbiotic as a Replacement for Antibiotics on the GrowthPerformance, Gut Health and Immune Response in Broiler Chickens


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Authors

  • Stephen Soren WEST BENGAL UNIVERSITY OF ANIMAL AND FISHERY SCIENCES
  • Ranjita Ghosh
  • Joydip Mukherjee
  • Samiran Mandal
  • Surojit Mandal
  • Indranil Samanta
  • Guru Prasad Mandal

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijan.v42i2.

Keywords:

Broiler chicken, Growth performance, Gut microbiota, Immune response, Lactobacillus rhamnosus.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of dietary supplementation with a synbiotic (Lactobacillus rhamnosus NCDC 298 + fructooligosaccharide) on the growth performance, carcass traits, blood biochemical profile, gut microbiome, gut morphology, and immune response of broiler chickens. A total of 162 day-old Ven Cobb 400 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to three dietary groups, each with six replicated pens (n = 6), containing nine broiler chickens: 1) basal diet without any growth promoter (CON), 2) basal diet with antibiotic (Bacitracin methylene disalicylate - BMD) at 500g/ton feed (AGP), and 3) basal diet with synbiotic (Lactobacillus rhamnosus NCDC 298 + fructooligosaccharide) at 1 ml/bird in drinking water (SYN). Body weight, feed intake, and feed conversion ratios (FCR) were monitored weekly for 42 days. Blood biochemistry was evaluated on day 28, and immune response was assessed on day 28 and 35 of the trial. Carcass traits, gut microbiome, and gut morphology were evaluated at the end of the trial. The results indicated that the SYN group had significantly higher final body weight and average daily gain compared to the CON and AGP groups (P<0.05). Moreover, the SYN and AGP supplemented groups showed improved FCR compared to the CON group (P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in average daily feed intake (ADFI), carcass traits, blood biochemical profile, and antibody titers among the groups. Total E. coli and Salmonella counts were significantly lower in the SYN group compared to CON and AGP (P<0.05). Additionally, Lactobacillus counts were significantly higher in the SYN group compared to CON and AGP (P<0.05). Gut morphology was significantly improved in the SYN group compared to CON and AGP (P<0.05). In conclusion, synbiotic supplementation could be a promising alternative to antimicrobials in broiler production, demonstrating beneficial effects in broilers fed an antibiotic-free diet.

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Submitted

31-12-2024

Published

15-09-2025

Issue

Vol. 42 No. 2 (2025)

Section

Non-Ruminants

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Copyright remains with the society and author jointly. However, material can be used for research, teaching and to achieve goals of the society.

How to Cite

, S. S., Ranjita Ghosh, Joydip Mukherjee, Samiran Mandal, Surojit Mandal, Indranil Samanta, & Guru Prasad Mandal. (2025). Effect of Dietary Synbiotic as a Replacement for Antibiotics on the GrowthPerformance, Gut Health and Immune Response in Broiler Chickens. Indian Journal of Animal Nutrition, 42(2). https://doi.org/10.56093/ijan.v42i2.