A healthy liver is key for good productive parameters in broiler chickens, and it is constantly exposed to toxic substances coming from the gut such as mycotoxins or drugs, among others.

Liver conditioners are pronutrients of a vegetable origin that optimize this organ’s physiology and improve its capacity to detoxify and, therefore, to protect the organism against the mentioned toxics. Their administration in broiler production makes sure the liver is properly working and helps to achieve good productive results.

Objective

The aim of this trial was to evaluate the response in Ross 308 broilers to the supplementation of feed with liver conditioner pronutrients by the evaluation of productivity and liver indicators.

Materials and methods

The trial was conducted in a farm located at 1150 masl with an average temperature of 26ᵒC. Productive parameters were evaluated and blood samples were taken at the end of the trial (day 35 or 36 of age).

Treatment groups

• Control: 4 farms with a total of 45900 animals, fed a standard diet, without any liver protector.
• Treatment: 4 farms of 47940 birds, fed a standard diet supplemented with liver conditioner pronutrients at 0.25 kg/mT, continuously until the end of the trial.

Productive results

Biochemical results

Results interpretation

High levels of alkaline phosphatase and/or alanino amino transferase are related to hepatic or renal disorders, despite all groups showed blood levels among the normality.

Conclusions

The productive parameters in the group that received pronutrients were better than those of the control. Additionally, blood indicators of liver damage were at lower levels. This is indicative of the positive impact of these pronutrients on liver functioning and, consequently, on productive performance.

Liver conditioner pronutrients are marketed under the commercial name Alquernat Livol by Biovet S.A.