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Effect of Polysavone (Alfalfa Extract) on Abdominal Fat Deposition and Immunity in Broiler Chickens

X. F. Dong^*, W. W. Gao, J. M. Tong^*,1, H. Q. Jia^*, R. N. Sa^* and Q. Zhang^*

^* State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China 100094; and Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China 100094

¹ Corresponding author: tjm606{at}263.net

Two hundred 1-day-old male commercial Arbor Acres broiler birds were randomly distributed to a control group and a polysavone group (5 replicates of 20 birds each) to investigate the influence of polysavone, a natural extract from alfalfa, on abdominal fat deposition and immunity in broiler chickens. Birds in the control group were supplied with a basal diet, and 0.06% polysavone was added to the basal diet of birds in the polysavone group. Body weight and feed consumption for each replicate were recorded weekly. At 3, 4, 5, and 6 wk of age, 4 birds from each replicate were randomly selected for blood and organ sampling. Polysavone had no significant effect on feed intake, BW, or feed:gain ratio in the experimental period, and it decreased the abdominal fat weights at 5 and 6 wk of age. Polysavone improved (P <0.05) the relative thymus and spleen weights at 6 wk of age and the bursa weights at 4 and 5 wk of age compared with the control group. At 4 and 6 wk of age, the proliferation of T and B lymphocytes in the polysavone group was significantly greater (P <0.05) than that in the control group. When birds were 4 and 5 wk of age, polysavone resulted in a significant increase (P <0.05) in serum anti-Newcastle disease virus hemagglutination inhibition antibody titer. These results showed that polysavone may decrease abdominal fat deposition and enhance immunity without an adverse effect on the performance of broiler chickens.

Key Words: alfalfa • extract • fat • immunity • broiler