Effect of bile acid supplementation on growth performance, carcass trait, fat digestibility, and blood lipid profile of broiler: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Bile acid (BA) is a feed additive that can increase fat digestibility in poultry. The objectives of this meta-analysis were to assess the effectiveness of supplementation with bile acid on growth performance, carcass trait, fat digestibility, and blood lipid profile of broiler by meta-analysis evidence. Peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English were found using databases such as PubMed, and Scopus. The meta-analysis required information on moderators (inclusion level, and treatment duration), a sufficient description of randomization, performance data, and associated measures of variance such as standard deviation (SD) or standard error (SE). All analyses were carried out using the Open Meta-analyst for Ecology and Evolution (OpenMEE) program. Data from the 10 studies included in the meta-analysis were pooled and presented as standardized mean differences (SMDs) at a 95% confidence interval (CI) using a random-effects model. Results indicate that dietary BA supplementation decreases FCR (SMD = –0.50, 95% CI: –0.76 to -0.23, p<0.001), and tends to decrease abdominal fat (SMD = SMD = -0.39; 95% CI =  -0.78 to 0.01; p=0.055). Contrastingly, BA supplementation increases fat digestibility (SMD = 1.67; 95% CI 0.73 to 0.26; p<0.001) and dressing carcass (0.44; 95% CI -0.08 to 0.8; p=0.016) compared with the controls The meta-analysis explains that bile acid is an ingredient that could be used as a feed additive in broiler.