Limitation and Potential Effects of Different Levels of Aging Corn on Performance, Antioxidative Capacity, Intestinal Health, and Microbiota in Broiler Chickens

Abstract

Three-hundred and sixty-day-old male broilers underwent three treatments with six replicates of 20 birds per treatment. The experimental diets included NC: normal corn diet; ACL: lower level (39.6–41.24%) of AC; and ACH: a higher level (56.99–59.12%) of AC. During phase 1 (0–21 d), broilers fed on AC showed lower (p < 0.05) body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) as compared with the NC group. During phase 2 (22–42 d), the NC group and ACL group showed better (p < 0.05) BW, BWG, and FCR than the ACH group. The footpad lesion score (p = 0.05) and litter moisture percentage (p < 0.05) were found to be higher in the ACH group. During phase 1, the ACL group showed a lower level of malondialdehyde (MDA) contents (p < 0.05) in serum; moreover, catalase (CAT) (p < 0.05) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities (p < 0.05) were found lower in both AC-containing groups. During phase 2, CAT activity in serum was found higher (p < 0.05) in the ACH group. During phase 1, the NC group showed higher CAT (p = 0.05), GSH-Px (p < 0.05), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (p = 0.03); however, it showed lower MDA (p < 0.05) and total-antioxidative capability (T-AOC) (p < 0.05) in the liver. During phase 1, in breast muscle, CAT, SOD, and T-AOC were higher (p < 0.05) in the NC group. During phase 1, total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein were found to be lower (p < 0.05) in the ACL group. Similarly, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein were found to be lower (p < 0.05) in the ACL group than the ACH group. During phase 1, villus height was found to be higher (p < 0.05) in the ACH group. Moreover, the goblet cell (GC) was found to be higher (p < 0.05) in the NC group than the ACL group. During phase 2, GC was found to be higher (p < 0.05) in the ACL group. In ileal digesta, during phase 1, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid (BA) levels were found to be higher (p < 0.05) in the ACL group. In cecal digesta, BA was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the NC group.