Effects of plant-derived isoquinoline alkaloids on growth performance and intestinal function of broiler chickens under heat stress

Broiler chickens reared under heat stress (HS) conditions have decreased growth performance and show metabolic immunologic alterations. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementation with a standardized blend plant-derived isoquinoline alkaloids (IQ) on performance, protein catabolism, intestinal barrier function, inflammatory status HS-treated chickens. Three hundred sixty 0-day-old Ross 308 male broiler were randomly distributed into 2 treatment groups: control diet (no additives) or supplemented 100 ppm IQ. At day 14, chicks in each group further divided groups, which was thermoneutral (TN) (22.4°C) constant HS (33.0°C) until 42. Each consisted 6 replicates 15 birds per replicate, provided ad libitum access water feed. During days 15–21, body weight gain (BWG) feed intake (FI) significantly lower than TN group, conversion ratio higher (P < 0.05); these factors not alleviated by IQ supplementation. 22–42, final BW, BWG, FI better among those administered that 0.05). increased plasma lipid peroxide, corticosterone, uric acid concentrations as well serum fluorescein isothiocyanate–dextran, marker total content These changes observed suggesting improved oxidative damage, function HS. Isoquinoline alkaloid inhibited expression factors, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor–like factor 1A, inducible nitric oxide synthase results suggest can improve conditions, may be associated amelioration inflammation.