The role of Azolla pinnata in hepatic protection and immunity stimulation in broiler chickens

The aim of the present study was to estimate the phenolic compound and flavonoid contents in Azolla pinnata (A. pinnata) fern extract and evaluate its effect on the liver and immune system in broiler chicks. Mass spectrometry was used to identify the predominant active ingredients. The same study estimated the effect of the detected phytochemicals on the expression of some hepatic protection and immune stimulation-related genes. The experiment was performed using 150 one-day-old Indian River chicks, which were divided into five groups, each containing three replicates. The groups under study were as follows: T1 was fed a corn-based diet with no supplements, T2 was fed a corn-based diet supplemented with 5% A. pinnata sundried fern, T3 was fed a corn-based diet supplemented with 10% A. pinnata sundried fern, T4 was fed a corn-based diet supplemented with 15% A. pinnata sundried fern, and T5 was fed a corn-based diet supplemented with 20% A. pinnata sundried fern. At the end of the experiment, three birds from each subgroup were slaughtered, and their livers were collected to estimate the expression of SOD1, CAT, ACC, LPL, IL8, IL10, and TLR2 genes using real-time PCR. The obtained results showed that all treatments had a significant effect on the tested genes, as they caused up-regulation of their expression, indicating that these genes have antioxidant and immunostimulatory effects. More research is needed to correlate the recommended inclusion rates of A. pinnata with other performance parameters to achieve the best economic production strategies.