Effects of Moringa oleifera Leaves Powder and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Alone or in Combination on Blood Biochemical Profile, Total Antioxidant and Oxidant Capacity and Intestinal Morphology in Broiler Chickens

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the synergistic effect of dietary supplementation of Moringa oleifera (MO) leaves powder and the yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) (SC) based prebiotic on the blood biochemical profile, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens. A total of 320 (Ross 308) straight-run one-day-old broiler chicks were acquired and randomly allocated into four treatment groups: The control group was fed a basal diet (without MO and SC addition); MO group (basal diet+1.5% dried MO leaf powder; SC group (basal diet +1.5%SC); and the MO + SC (basal diet supplemented with 1.5% MO + 1.5% SC). Each experimental group was replicated 4 times with 20 chicks each. The experiment lasted for 40 days. The combined use of MO+SC significantly reduced serum cholesterol and total protein levels compared to their separate use and the control group. The experimental groups significantly affected total antioxidants and oxidant capacity compared to the control group. The use of MO alone or in combination with SC had a notable effect on villus height, while crypt depth was affected by MO alone in the small intestine, except for villus height of duodenum and crypt depths, the use of MO in combination with SC as MO+SC in broiler rations positively influenced the blood biochemical parameters, total antioxidant and oxidant capacity, and villus height of jejunum and ileum. Based on these findings, supplementing Moringa oleifera leaf powder and yeast-based prebiotics in combination at the dose level of 1.5% in broiler rations can significantly improve blood biochemistry, antioxidant capacity, and gut morphometry.