Effect of Probiotics on Broilers Performance

A probiotic is a live microbial feed supplement, which beneficially affects the host animal by improving its intestinal balance. It has been used as a substitute of antibiotics that is being used in considerable amounts as growth promoters in broilers production and is, associated with incalculable risks for human health resulting from the use of particular feed additives. This article reviews the scientific data showing that probiotics may positively affect various physiologic functions in ways that will permit them now or in the future to be classified as functional foods for which health claims (of enhanced production or reduction in disease risk) will be authorized. The article has been prepared under various subheadings including introduction into probiotics, mode of action including immune enhancement, growth stimulation, feed conversion ratio, competition for adhesion receptors, digestion and absorption and health management of diseased animals. The authors own results have been reviewed including: i) poultry growth is promoted with the increasing doses of probiotics up to a certain limit. The growth pattern increased relative to the control, up to 1.0 gram per 10 kg feed but beyond that the pattern was reversed; ii) no difference could be detected in feed conversion ratio of broilers as compared to control; iii) crypt cells proliferation of small intestine increased with the use of probiotics as compared to control. Present/future aspect of probiotics, is the last component of the article including; discovery of more probiotic organisms through genetic engineering.