Protective effects of the phytogenic feed additive “comfort” on growth performance via modulation of hypothalamic feeding- and drinking-related neuropeptides in cyclic heat-stressed broilers

• Published in: Domestic animal endocrinology Vol. 74; p. 106487
• Main Authors: Greene, E.S., Cauble, R., Kadhim, H., de Almeida Mallmann, B., Gu, I., Lee, S.-O., Orlowski, S., Dridi, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.01.2021
• Subjects: Broilers; Heat stress; Neuropeptides; Phytogenic feed additive; Water and feed consumption; Neuropeptides; Heat stress; Water and feed consumption; Broilers; Phytogenic feed additive
• ISSN: 0739-7240; 1879-0054
• DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2020.106487

Identification of alternatives to antibiotics in livestock and poultry is necessary. Fueled by consumer preferences, phytogenic feed additives are increasingly used in the food system; however, their mode of action is not well defined. Here, we used broiler chickens, in which appetite and feeding behavior regulation are controlled by complex mechanisms, to determine the effect of the phytogenic feed additive “comfort” (PFA-C) as well as its underlying molecular mechanisms on growth performance in heat-stressed broiler chickens. Heat stress significantly increased birds' core body temperature, water intake, and the hypothalamic expression of heat shock protein (HSP) 70, whereas it decreased feed intake, BW, and woody breast incidence. Phytogenic feed additive “comfort” supplementation downregulated the hypothalamic expression of HSP70, reduced core body temperature, increased feed and water intake, and improved BW in HS broilers. At molecular levels, the effect of PFA-C on growth performance seemed to be mediated by modulation of hypothalamic expression of melanocortin receptor 2, arginine vasopressin, aquaporin 2, and sodium and potassium-transporting ATPase subunit beta 1 polypeptides. In summary, PFA-C supplementation ameliorates heat stress productivity losses via a potential cytoprotective effect, reduction of hypothalamic intracellular stress, and modulation of hypothalamic feeding- and drinking-related polypeptide expression. •Modes of action of phytogenics are not well defined.•Phytogenics alleviate the adverse effects of heat stress.•Phytogenics reduce core body temperature induced by heat load.•Phytogenics improve growth performance of heat-stressed broilers.•Phytogenics modulate the hypothalamic expression of MC2R, AVP, AQP2, and ATP1B1.