The role of probiotics in the growth performance and health of poultry

The present study examines the effects of Zoovit LL probiotic supplementation on growth performance, feed consumption, feed conversion, and key innate immunity parameters in broiler chickens. Specifically, the study evaluates the Alternative Pathway of Complement Activation (APCA), serum lysozyme concentrations, and beta-lysine activity. The experiment was conducted using male ROSS hybrid chicks reared on the floor for 40 days. The birds were divided into two groups: a control group, which received no probiotic supplementation, and an experimental group, which was fed a probiotic-supplemented diet. Probiotic supplementation significantly improved weight gain and feed conversion throughout the 40-day rearing period. A notable increase in APCA activity was observed in the probiotic-fed group compared to controls (P<0.001), with mean values of 586.93±9.26 CH50 versus 520.98±6.78 CH50, respectively. Serum lysozyme levels were also significantly higher in the experimental group (P<0.01), reaching 1.01±0.09 μg/ml compared to 0.61±0.08 μg/ml in controls. Although beta-lysine activity was slightly elevated in the probiotic-fed group (36.19±2.96%) relative to controls (32.57±1.61%), the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). These findings suggest that Zoovit LL probiotic supplementation has immunomodulatory effects, enhancing key components of the innate immune system in broiler chickens. The observed increase in APCA and lysozyme activity highlights the potential of probiotic supplementation to strengthen immune defenses, particularly in antibiotic-free poultry production systems.