Impact of Rumex nepalensis on Performance, Blood Markers, Immunity, Intestinal Microbiology and Histomorphology in Broiler Chicken.

The study investigated the impact of utilizing Rumex nepalensis leaf powder (RNL) as a phytogenic feed additive on performance, blood markers, intestinal microbiology and histomorphology in broiler chicken. One hundred eighty day-old Cobb broiler chicks were randomly divided into four treatment groups having three replicates with fifteen birds each. Four iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous diets primarily based on maize-soybean were formulated, viz., CN (Control)-fed basal diet only; RNL _2.5 (basal diet + 2.5 g/kg RNL); RNL ₅ (basal diet + 5 g/kg RNL); and RNL ₁₀ (basal diet + 10 g/kg RNL). The results revealed a significant ( p < 0.05) increase in body weight gain and feed conversion ratio in dietary treatments compared to CN with best values in RNL ₁₀ followed by RNL ₅ . The blood markers like glucose, total protein, creatinine, alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) showed no significance ( p > 0.05) among all the treatments, however total cholesterol significantly ( p < 0.05) decreased in RNL ₅ and RNL ₁₀ as against CN. Regarding immune parameters, immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels significantly ( p < 0.05) enhanced in RNL ₅ and RNL ₁₀ . Antioxidant enzyme status showed that superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased and malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased significantly ( p < 0.05) in RNL ₁₀ compared to CN. Gut health in terms of cecal microbiology and histomorphology of duodenum and jejunum were altered by inclusion of RNL in the broiler diet. A significant decrease ( p < 0.05) in coliform count was recorded by incorporation of dietary treatments with highest reduction in RNL ₁₀ . Lactobacillus count and total viable count did not vary significantly ( p > 0.05) among dietary treatments and CN. Duodenal and jejunal villus height and villus height/crypt depth ratio were significantly ( p < 0.05) increased in RNL ₅ and RNL ₁₀ compared to RNL _2.5 and CN. Thus, it could be concluded that inclusion of Rumex nepalensis leaf powder in the diet resulted in improved performance and better immuno-antioxidant status of broilers. Further, an improvement in the gut health was observed in terms of positive effects on cecal microbiota and intestinal histomorphology of broiler chickens.