TITLE:
Effects of Methenamine Feeding Regime on Growth Performances, Gut Microbiota, Organs Histology and Haemato-Biochemical Profile of Broiler Chickens
AUTHORS:
Kengni Noubissie Guyssela Josiane, Kana Jean Raphaël, Ngouana Tadjong Ruben, Yemdjie Mane Doriane Divine, Ebile Dayan Agwa, Tchouan Deffo Gilchrist, Necdem Tsafack Boris Valdes, Issa Bachar Issa
KEYWORDS:
Antibiotic, Broiler Chickens, Gut Microbiota, Growth Performance, Haemato-Biochemical Profile, Methenamine
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Animal Sciences,
Vol.11 No.2,
April
26,
2021
ABSTRACT: Microbial resistance in livestock has become a subject of great concern
of public and scientific interest. This study was designed to assess the
effects of methenamine feeding regime on growth performances of broilers
chickens. For this purpose, 120 chicks of Cobb 500 strain, including 60 males
and 60 females of 21 days old with an average weight of 639 g and 584 g respectively were used.
They were randomly distributed in 60 experimental units of 2 chicks of same sex
per cage until 49 days. Methenamine was incorporated in feed (TA), acidified
(TEa) and non acidified (TE) water and compared to an antibiotic medicated diet
as positive control (T0+) and a ration without any
supplement as negative control (T0). The main results showed that, regardless
of the feeding regime, methenamine significantly (p 0.05) increased feed
inteake, body weight, weight gain and decreased (p 0.05) feed conversion ratio. Methenamine whatever
the feeding regime induced a significant increase in lactic acid bacteria
counts compared to coliforms and coccidies counts. Salmonella were absent throughout the trial period. Regardless of
sex and feeding regime, hematological parameters were not significantly
affected, with the exception of white blood cell and platelet concentration
that decreased significantly (p 0.05) in male broilers. Serum content in ASAT
(Aspartate-transferase), ALAT (Alanine-transferase), creatinine, urea and LDL-cholesterol decreased
significantly (p 0.05),
while HDL-cholesterol increased. Histology of organs was not affected. Feeding
methenamine to broiler chickens through drinking water can be used as an
alternative to antibiotic to improve growth performances.