A standardized Macleaya cordata extract preparation (MCEP; trade name Sangrovit®) can increase feed intake and therefore promote animal growth, meat
quality and yield. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of
Sangrovit® on the health status and egg laying parameters of layer chickens.
Layer chickens (N =
360) were randomly divided into four groups (90 birds/treatment, 10 birds/pen)
and fed either a standard basal feed (T1) or a basal diet that was supplemented
with 100 mg/kg (T2), 500 mg/kg (T3) or 1000 mg/kg (T4) Sangrovit® (providing 0,
3.7, 18.5, and 37.0 mg MCE/kg feed, respectively) for 56 consecutive days. Live
Weight (LW), Average Daily Feed Intake (ADFI) and the Feed Conversion Ratios
(FCR) were calculated during the study, and biochemical and hematological
endpoints were obtained at the end of the study (Day 56). Eggs were analyzed
for the isoquinoline alkaloids sanguinarine and chelerythrine.
No statistically
significant (P > 0.05) differences were found between control and treatment
groups for LW, ADFI and FCR. There was a significant increase in the % laying
in groups T3 and T4 for the study overall, but no significant differences in
egg size during the study. Blood biochemical analyses showed a near-significant
trend for decreased bilirubin in the T2 and T4 groups, but this was not
dose-dependent and not considered treatment-related. The percent hemoglobin was
significantly decreased in the high dose group, but was not considered
treatment-related as it was not a dose-dependent effect. No treatment-related
changes were found after necropsy of the selected organs. No quantifiable
sanguinarine or chelerythrine was found in the eggs after 56 days
administration of the MCE preparation to the hens.
In conclusion, the
results of the study showed no adverse effects of consumption of the
standardized MCEP provided to layer chickens when administered in the feed at
100, 500 and 1000 mg/kg feed for 56 days, as compared with control birds. No
residual levels of sanguinarine or chelerythrine were found in the eggs.
Besides, the current work confirmed that consumption of this MCE preparation
when added at up to 1000 mg/kg feed for 56 days was well tolerated by laying
chickens and that neither sanguinarine nor chelerythrine were transferred to
the eggs.
Article by Ray A. Matulka, et al, from USA,
Germany and Italy.
Full access: http://mrw.so/p2hOT
Image by Elise de Korte, from Flickr-cc.
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