<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The study aimed to determine the effect of three different levels of <italic>Boswellia serrata</italic> resin added to broiler diets on the fundamental production parameters, dry matter digestibility, organic matter digestibility, energy digestibility, microbiological condition of the gastrointestinal tract, and histomorphology of the walls of the small intestine. Two hundred Ross 308 chicks were assigned into 4 groups (50 birds of equal body weight) in 5 replications of 10 chicks each (5 females and 5 males). The experiment lasted 6 weeks. The control group (B0) was fed a standard mixture, without supplementation, whereas in groups B1.5, B2, and B2.5, the <italic>Boswellia serrata</italic> resin was added at the levels of 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5% of the complete feed mixture, respectively. The dietary supplementation with 2.0 and 2.5% of <italic>Boswellia serrata</italic> resin contributed to a significant increase in the length of the duodenum and total intestine and in the digestibility of dry matter and organic matter in feed. In these groups, the values of FCR and EEI were positively influenced (P&lt;0.05) and an improvement in the structure of the jejunal wall was also recorded (P&lt;0.05). An increase in the count of <italic>Lactobacillus</italic> and <italic>Enterococcus</italic> in the intestinal contents in broilers fed with the <italic>Boswellia serrata</italic> resin supplemented diets was observed. In conclusion, the <italic>Boswellia serrata</italic> resin can be considered as an effective feed additive, which stimulates production and has a positive effect on intestinal microflora and morphology of broilers.</abstract>

The study aimed to determine the effect of three different levels of Boswellia serrata resin added to broiler diets on the fundamental production parameters, dry matter digestibility, organic matter digestibility, energy digestibility, microbiological condition of the gastrointestinal tract, and histomorphology of the walls of the small intestine. Two hundred Ross 308 chicks were assigned into 4 groups (50 birds of equal body weight) in 5 replications of 10 chicks each (5 females and 5 males). The experiment lasted 6 weeks. The control group (B0) was fed a standard mixture, without supplementation, whereas in groups B1.5, B2, and B2.5, the Boswellia serrata resin was added at the levels of 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5% of the complete feed mixture, respectively. The dietary supplementation with 2.0 and 2.5% of Boswellia serrata resin contributed to a significant increase in the length of the duodenum and total intestine and in the digestibility of dry matter and organic matter in feed. In these groups, the values of FCR and EEI were positively influenced (P<0.05) and an improvement in the structure of the jejunal wall was also recorded (P<0.05). An increase in the count of Lactobacillus and Enterococcus in the intestinal contents in broilers fed with the Boswellia serrata resin supplemented diets was observed. In conclusion, the Boswellia serrata resin can be considered as an effective feed additive, which stimulates production and has a positive effect on intestinal microflora and morphology of broilers.

Effect of <italic>Boswellia serrata</italic> Dietary Supplementation on Growth Performance, Gastrointestinal Microflora, and Morphology of Broilers

Institute of Animal Nutrition and Bromatology, University of Life Sciences, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland

Department of Animal Resources, University of Wasit, Al Kut, Wasit, Iraq

Department of Zoology, Ecology and Wildlife Management, University of Life Sciences, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland

Annals of Animal Science

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Effect of  Dietary Supplementation on Growth Performance, Gastrointestinal Microflora, and Morphology of Broilers

The study aimed to determine the effect of three different levels of Boswellia serrata resin added to broiler diets on the fundamental production parameters,...

Effect of Boswellia serrata Dietary Supplementation on Growth Performance, Gastrointestinal Microflora, and Morphology of Broilers

Published Online: Aug 02, 2016

Page range: 835 - 849

Received: Sep 15, 2015

Accepted: Feb 16, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/aoas-2016-0007

Keywords
broiler, production performance, intestine, digestibility, resin

© 2016 Bożena Kiczorowska et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Effect of Boswellia serrata Dietary Supplementation on Growth Performance, Gastrointestinal Microflora, and Morphology of Broilers

Published Online: Aug 02, 2016

Page range: 835 - 849

Received: Sep 15, 2015

Accepted: Feb 16, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/aoas-2016-0007

Keywordsbroiler, production performance, intestine, digestibility, resin

© 2016 Bożena Kiczorowska et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
broiler, production performance, intestine, digestibility, resin