Effects of Dietary Turmeric Powder on Performance and Immune Performance of Yellow-Feathered Broilers
This experiment was conducted to study the effects of dietary turmeric powder on performance and immune performance of yellow-feathered broilers.A total of 320 yellow-feathered broilers of 1-day-old were randomly divided into 4 groups with 8 replicates per group and 10 broilers per replicate.The broilers in the con-trol group were fed a basal diet,and the others in the experimental groups were fed the basal diets supplemen-ted with 150 mg/kg curcumin(curcumin group),5 g/kg turmeric powder(0.5%turmeric powder group)and 10 g/kg turmeric powder(1.0%turmeric powder group),respectively.The broilers in the turmeric pow-der groups were fed the same amount of turmeric powder instead of chaff.The experiment lasted for 70 days.The results showed as follows:1)compared with the control group,the ratio of feed to gain of broilers from 29 to 70 days of age in turmeric powder groups was significantly decreased(P<0.05),the ratio of feed to gain of broilers from 1 to 70 days of age in 1.0%turmeric powder group was significantly decreased(P<0.05),and dietary turmeric powder had no significant effects on slaughter performance,muscle shear force and meat color(P>0.05).2)Compared with the control group,the contents of essential amino acids,total amino acids and total fatty acids in muscle of broilers in 0.5%turmeric powder group were significantly increased(P<0.05).3)Compared with the control group,dietary turmeric powder significantly increased thymus index,se-rum avian influenza antibody content,and serum contents of immunoglobulin,complement,interleukin,inter-feron-γ and lysozyme of broilers(P<0.05).4)Compared with the control group,dietary turmeric powder significantly decreased the mRNA relative expression levels of nuclear factor-KB(NF-κB),transforming growth factor β-activated kinase 1(TAKA),interleukin-1 β(IL-1β),interleukin-6(IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in immune organs of broilers(P<0.05).In conclusion,dietary turmeric powder can reduce the feed to gain ratio and promote the growth of yellow-feathered broilers;improve meat quality,and enhance its nutritional value;regulate the expression of genes related to NF-κB signaling pathway,reduce inflamma-tion,regulate immune performance and improve performance of yellow-feathered broilers.[Chinese Journal of Animal Nutrition,2024,36(4):2303-2317]