Effects Of Attapulgite Based Antimicrobial Agents On Production,Hatching Performance,Blood Indices And Fecal Flora Of Broiler Breeders

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of increasing levels of the attapulgite-based antimicrobial agents(APT/EO)on production,hatching performance,egg quality,blood index and fecal flora of broiler breeder.The purpose of this study is to explore the optimal addition level of APT/EO in broiler breeder diet,and provide scientific basis for its popularization and application in the production of broiler breeder.A total of 432 42-wk-old broiler breeder were randomly allotted into 4 treatments with 6 replicates of 18 birds each replicate.The experiment lasted for 56 d,and the birds were fed a basal diet(A)or diets with APT/EO at 250(B),500(C),and 750 mg/kg(D)in the other 3 groups,respectively.The results were as follows:1)Compared with group A,the feed to egg ratio decreased by 2.85%,9.40%and 3.99%respectively(P=0.090)during 1-8 weeks of the experiment.2)Compared with group A,the yolk proportion had a decreasing trend(P=0.079),and decreased by 6.90%,10.34%and 3.45%at the 8th week of the experiment.3)Compared with group A,the fertilization rate in groups B,C and D increased(P<0.01)by 6.53%,8.58%and 5.34%,respectively.The hatching rate of fertilized egg in groups B,C and D increased(P<0.01)by 5.39%,7.55%and 7.18%,respectively.The rate of dead embryos of groups B,C and D decreased(P<0.01)by 36.18%,52.60%and 47.07%,respectively.The rate of healthy young in group B,C and D had increased(P=0.068)by 1.31%,1.56%,1.71%,respectively.4)Compared with group A,the activities of T-AOC,T-SOD,CAT and GSH-Px in blood of groups B,C and D increased(P<0.01),and the content of MDA decreased(P<0.01).Compared with group A,the contents of IgA,IgG,IgM,IL-2 and TNF-α in blood of groups B,C and D increased(P<0.01).5)Compared with group A,The contents of endotoxin in blood of groups B,C and D decreased(P<0.01).6)Compared with group A,the relative quantity of bifidobacterium in excreta of groups B,C and D increased(P<0.01).Compared with groups A and B,the relative quantity of Salmonella in excreta in groups C and D decreased(P<0.05),and the relative quantity of Lactobacillus in excreta in groups C and D was significantly increased(P<0.05).7)At the level of phyla,compared with group A,the proportion of Actinobacteria in groups B,C and D decreased(P<0.01),and the proportion of Firmicutes increased(P<0.05).At the level of genus,compared with group A,the percentages of Aeriscardovia,Mediterranneibacter,Ruminococcace-NK4A214-group and Actinomyces of groups B,C and D decreased(P<0.05),and the percentages of Gardnella were extremely significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with groups A and D,the proportion of Catenisphaera of groups B and C increased(P<0.05).8)Compared with group A,the relative economic benefit of groups B,C and D increased by 18.46%,33.04%and 21.91%,respectively;Compared with the group A,the relative economic benefit of groups B,C and D increased by RMB 134,000 to 240,000 Yuan according to the calculation of 56 days relative economic benefit of 10,000 broiler breeders.In conclusion,APT/EO could improve the production performance,egg quality,blood antioxidant capacity and immune response,effectively reduce the contents of endotoxin in the blood and eggs,and improve the health of intestinal microorganism of broiler breeders.