GROWTH-PERFORMANCE, INTESTINAL MICROBIAL-POPULATIONS, AND SERUM-CHOLESTEROL OF BROILERS FED DIETS CONTAINING LACTOBACILLUS CULTURES

A study was conducted to determine the effects of adherent Lactobacill us culture on growth performance, intestinal microbial population, and serum cholesterol level of broilers. Four dietary treatments, consist ing of the basal diet (control), basal diet + 0.05, 0.10, or 0.15% Lac tobacillus culture (LC), were fed to 2,000 Arbor Acres broiler chicks from 1 to 42 d of age (DOA). The chicks were randomly assigned to 40 c ages (50 chicks per cage, 10 cages per diet). The experimental period was 42 d. Body weights and feed to gain ratio were measured at 21 and 42 DOA. The intestinal microbial populations and serum cholesterol lev els were determined at 10, 20, 30, and 40 DOA. The results showed that body weights and feed to gain ratios were improved significantly (P < 0.05) when compared to control broilers for broilers fed diets contai ning 0.05 or 0.10% LC, but not 0.15% LC, at 21 and 42 DOA. Coliform co unts in the cecum of birds receiving 0.05% LC at 10, 20, and 30 DOA, a nd 0.10% at 10 and 20 DOA were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than tho se of the control birds. The total aerobes, total anaerobes, lactobaci lli, and streptococci in the small intestines and ceca of the control birds were not significantly different from those of the treated group s. Serum cholesterol levels were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in bro ilers fed the three diets containing LC at 30 DOA, and in the birds fe d 0.05 or 0.10% LC at 20 DOA.