LAUSR

Abstract In this study, we tested the effects of Yucca schidigera extract (YSE) on the growth performance in broilers, and furthermore, its effects on antioxidative enzyme activities and corresponding gene in the liver of broilers. A total of 128 14-day-old broiler chickens were randomly assigned to four treatments: maize-soybean meal as the basal control diet and the basal diet containing 100, 200, or 300 mg/kg of YSE, respectively, in this study. Each treatment was consisted of four replicate pens with eight broilers per pen. The experiment lasted 28 days. Average daily gain (ADG), average feed intake (AFI) and feed efficiency (FE) were recorded during grower period (d 15 to d 28) and finisher period (d 29 to d 42), respectively. On day 28 and 42, liver samples were collected to analyse superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and gene expressions of SOD, CAT, GPx. The results showed that during grower period, there was no difference on growth performance, while CAT activity and its gene expression were increased at 200 mg/kg YSE level. During finisher period, 100 mg/kg YSE supplementation enhanced ADG, and 100 and 200 mg/kg YSE groups improved FE. T-AOC was improved at both 200 and 300 mg/kg. 300 mg/kg supplementation of YSE enhanced GPx and SOD activity, and decreased MDA concentration. GPx gene expression was up-regulated at 300 mg/kg level. In conclusion, YSE promoted growth performance in broilers as well as exhibited liver antioxidative ability during finisher period.