Amelioration of doxycycline side effects in broiler chickens using probiotic and date kernels powder.

Abstract

 Antibiotic administration in broiler farms is common, especially in developing countries. Doxycycline, a tetracycline antibiotic used in poultry farms effectively prevents and treats avian diseases as well as alters gut microbiota stability and composition. Researchers are now interested in the digestive tract microbiota.  It has long been believed that the metabolic processes and gut microbial ecology influence how well broilers perform. This study intended to ascertain: the effect of doxycycline administration on broilers' performance metrics, serum lipid and protein profiles, meat quality, and intestinal microbiome and health. The possible protective impact of Saccharomyces cerevisiae probiotic and date kernel powder was evaluated. Sixty, one-day-old Ross broiler chicks were reared and split on the 8^th day into 4 equal groups. G1 (Control group); fed on a balanced ration all over the experiment (42 days). G2 (Doxycycline group); fed on a balanced ration and doxycycline drug 0.5g/L in drinking water. G3 (Doxycycline+Sc group); fed on a balanced ration supplemented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Sc) probiotic 2.5 billion CFU/kg ration and doxycycline drug 0.5g/L in drinking water. G4 (Doxycycline+dk group); fed on a balanced ration supplemented with 4% date kernel powder (dk) and doxycycline drug 0.5g/L in drinking water. The findings showed that doxycycline administration adversely affected broilers' performance, serum lipid and protein profiles, meat quality, and intestinal microbiome and health of broilers. Supplementation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae probiotic and date kernel powder effectively ameliorated doxycycline adverse effects in broilers.