Iranian Journal of Animal Science Research

Iranian Journal of Animal Science Research

Improvement of Growth Performance, Microbial Balance, and Gastrointestinal Health in Broiler Chickens through Supplementation with CytoGard

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors
Sare Hajiabadi 1
Mehrdad Movahed Nasab 2
Jawad Kadhim Al-joran 3
Bahman Onagh 1
Amir Asghari Baghkhirati 1
Mahdi Elahi Torshizi 4
Abdollah Jamshidi 5
Jamshid Razmyar 1, 6
Mohammad Hadi Sekhavati 2, 1
1 Research and Development Department of Nika Zist Afrin Knowledge-Based Company, Iran
2 Department of animal science, Faculty Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
3 Department of Animal Science, Faculty Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
4 Department of Agriculture Science, Ma. C., Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
5 Department of Food Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
6 Department of Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary medicine, University of Tehran, Iran
10.22067/ijasr.2025.94422.1258
Abstract
Introduction: The health and integrity of the poultry digestive tract play a vital role in improving performance, growth rate, and reducing mortality in broiler and layer flocks. A healthy digestive system improves nutrient digestion and absorption, thereby enhancing overall feed efficiency. The gut immune system serves as the first line of defense against pathogens. Any impairment of gut function can lead to weight loss, reduced egg production, and increased susceptibility to disease. Additionally, unfavorable farm conditions, such as high stocking density or inadequate ventilation, cause stress that weakens the gut immune response. Intestinal health is widely recognized as a key determinant of overall flock performance. Therefore, prioritizing digestive tract health is essential not only for maintaining bird welfare but also as an economic strategy to improve production efficiency.
Materials and Methods: In this study, the effects of a drinking water supplement containing an avian-derived cytokine (commercially known as CytoGard) were evaluated in broiler chickens for the first time. There were six treatments: three concentrations of CytoGard including 10, 20, and 80 nanograms of the active ingredient per liter of drinking water and three control groups were included: non-supplemented drinking water (Control group), CytoGard without the active cytokine (Cyto0), and a commercial probiotic PrimaLAC at the recommended dose. The trial was conducted over a 42-day rearing period using 360 Ross broiler chicks in a completely randomized design consisting of six replicates in each group and 10 chickens per replicate. Body weight and feed intake were recorded on days 10, 24, and 42. On day 30, blood samples were collected from the experimental groups for hematological analysis and hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assays against influenza and Newcastle disease. For sampling, two birds were randomly selected from four cages per group (a total of 8 birds per group) and humanely euthanized on day 42. Ileal and cecal digesta were collected for microbial population analysis, and tissue samples from the duodenum, ileum, and jejunum were obtained for intestinal histopathology.

Results and Discussion: Our results showed that 20 ng/L of the cytokine acted as the optimal dose, reducing the feed conversion ratio (FCR) by 0.10 during the starter and grower phases and by up to 0.14 during the finisher phase. During the rearing period, the difference in FCR between this group and the control reached 0.19. Daily weight gain in this group in the starter phase increased by 0.57 g per bird. The weight gain differences during the grower and finisher phases were 2.94 g and 2.44 g, respectively. Across the entire trial period, this group exhibited a significant weight increase (4.13 g) compared to the control. Moreover, this group showed a 2% reduction in mortality during the rearing period compared to the control group. The concentration of 10 ng/L also resulted in improved FCR, and weight gain relative to the control. However, the 80 ng/L concentration showed no significant difference from the control in any measured parameter. Microbiological analysis of ileal and cecal digesta revealed that supplementation with CytoGard at 20 ng/L significantly reduced the population of the pathogenic bacterium Escherichia coli compared to other CytoGard-treated and control groups. Furthermore, the count of beneficial Lactobacillus bacteria significantly increased compared to both the control and the Cyto0 groups. CytoGard treatment did not cause any significant changes in hematological parameters or hemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody titers for Newcastle and influenza viruses compared to the control group. Histopathological evaluations indicated that 20 ng/L of the cytokine positively affected the intestinal microvilli and increased muscular thickness in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Villus length and muscular layer thickness in the 20 ng/L group were significantly increased in the jejunum section compared to the control and Cyto0 groups.

Conclusion: In conclusion, regular administration of CytoGard as a drinking water supplement at the optimal concentration during the rearing period led to increased body weight and reduced FCR in broiler chickens. This supplement also had a significant impact on modulating gut microbial balance and enhancing villus height and muscular layer thickness. Therefore, CytoGard may serve as a promising approach for improving gastrointestinal health and reducing production costs in the poultry industry.
Keywords
Cytokine
Gastrointestinal health
Gut microbiota
Histopathology
Subjects

Authors retain the copyright. This is an open access article distributed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0)

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  • Receive Date 15 July 2025
  • Revise Date 15 September 2025
  • Accept Date 30 September 2025
  • First Publish Date 30 September 2025