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† Corresponding author 
© 2014 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

 

 

THE INFLUENCE OF PROBIOTICS AND ANTIBIOTIC GROWTH 

PROMOTER ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND HEMATO-BIOCHEMICAL 

PARAMETERS IN BROILERS 

 

MA Miah* --- MMH Sarker --- MR Das --- A Mustari --- MS Islam 

1,2,3,4Department of Physiology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh 

5School of Agriculture and Rural Development, Bangladesh Open University, Gazipur 

 

ABSTRACT 

10 days old “Cobb 500” broiler chicks were used to investigate the influence of probiotics and growth 
promoter supplementation on growth performance and different hemato-biochemical parameters of broilers. 
They were randomly divided into three equal groups (n=10). Group A was considered as control, fed only 
with commercial ration and group B and group C were supplemented with probiotics and growth promoter 
respectively for the period of 21 days. Body weights were measured at 7 days interval and selective organ 
weights, total erythrocyte count(TEC), hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, packed cell volume (PCV), AST and 
ALT values were measured at the end of experiment. Results revealed that body weight was increased 
significantly (p <0.05) in treated groups and the highest body weight was recorded in group B. Significant 
(p>0.05) differences were found among groups of A, B, and C in the weight of breast meat, liver, Leg meat 
and spleen. All weights were increased significantly (p>0.05) both in probiotics and antibiotic growth 
promoter treated groups as compared to that of control group. TEC and Hb concentration were increased 
significantly (p<0.05) in birds of group B compared to those of birds in control and treated group C.  
Highest PCV was also recorded in group B but all the values were more or less similar and statistically 
insignificant (p>0.05). Biochemical parameters like AST were increased significantly (p<0.05) in treated 
groups of group B and C. Whereas ALT values decreased significantly (p<0.05) in treated groups in 
similar pattern in comparison to control group. Based on the results it could be concluded that probiotics 
supplementation shows better significant effect on growth performance and certain hemato-biochemical 
parameters in broiler chickens. 

Keywords: Hematology, Biochemical profile, Probiotics and broiler. 

 

Contribution/ Originality 

The study strengthens the existing literatures and documents that probiotics are better 

alternative feed supplementation in broiler industry.  

 

1. INTRODUCTION 

Feed is necessary for broiler production. The dietary use of probiotic feeding is gaining 

momentum in broilers to counteract and minimize the stresses [1, 2]. Probiotics are bacteria, 

fungi or yeasts that have favorable effects on hosts by improving the characteristics of intestinal 

Current Research in Agricultural Sciences 
2014 Vol. 1, No. 4, pp. 103-109 
ISSN(e): 2312-6418 
ISSN(p): 2313-3716 
© 2014 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 
 
 
 
 



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104 

microflora [3]. Probiotics can be categorized into either colonizing species (Lactobacillus sp., 

Enterococcus sp. and Streptococcus sp.) or free, non-colonizing species (Bacillus and Saccharomyces 

cerevisiae). They display antagonistic action to inhibit the development of pathogenic bacteria by 

secretion of products such as bacteriocins, organicacids and hydrogen peroxide, or they compete 

to other bacteria for locations to adhere to the intestinal mucous membranes; or competition for 

nutrients [4]. Probiotics reduce the risk of disease [5], improve the immune system; [6] and 

influence morphology and function of intestines [7, 8].  

On the other hand, antibiotic growth promoter is used to destroy or inhibits bacteria and is 

administered at a low, sub therapeutic dose [9]. Lee, et al. [10] stated that antibiotic growth 

promoter improves body weight by digesting their food more efficiently in growing animals. 

Growth promoters are now recognized in broiler industry as additives for faster growth and 

economic meat production. Growth promoters can play a vital role to shorten the time period 

required for attaining the market weight by stimulating growth. The growth promoters have 

given positive responses in respect to growth: improve feed efficiency and survivability of broiler 

[11]. Since probiotics and growth promoters are claimed to improve the performance, 

information with respect to their effects on the growth performance and hemato-biology in 

broilers is meager. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to determine the effect of feeding 

probiotics and antibiotic growth promoter supplementation on growth performance and hemato-

biochemical parameters in broilers. 

 

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS 

A total of 30, ten days old “Cobb 500" broiler chicks purchased from Alamin poultry farm, 

Chorkhai, Mymensingh were randomly divided into three equal groups (n=10). Group A was 

considered as untreated control, fed only with commercial ration Group B was supplemented with 

0.5 g probiotics /liter drinking water (Poultry Star® Sol, Renata Animal Health Limited, 

Bangladesh) and group C was supplemented with 0.5 g growth promoter/liter drinking water 

(Colistin 80, Veterinary and Agricultural products Mfg. Co. Ltd.) as per manufacturer 

recommendation respectively . Initial body weight of each bird was recorded and kept them group 

wise. Fresh water was supplied to the broilers ad libitum. Feed supplementations were prepared 

on daily basis. Rearing of birds was strictly followed according to standard broiler farming 

system [12]. In order to prevent stress, shock, deficiencies and infections broiler chicks were 

routinely immunized and antibiotic premixes were used as per recommendation of manufacturer. 

Proper hygienic and strict sanitary measures were also taken during the experimental periods.  

Ten days old chicks were used in this experiment for management advantages and to reduce 

the mortality rate.  The body weight of each bird was measured with the help of electric balance 

on the day 10 of age (0 day of experiment), at 7 days interval up to the end of experiment. The 

data were compared with same age of untreated control birds. All birds were sacrificed, processed 

and then selected organs-liver, spleen, leg meat, breast meat were weighed by electric balance 

according to the procedure of  Jones [13] at the end of the experiment (31 days of age).Blood 



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105 

from each bird was collected during sacrificing of birds and then was put into a number of sterile 

test tubes containing anticoagulant (3.8% Tri-sodium citrate solution). The hematological 

analyses were performed within two hours of blood collection. Sera were prepared for biochemical 

(AST and ALT) analyses according to standard procedures. Briefly, 2-3 mL of blood was collected 

in the sterile glass test tube. The blood containing tubes were kept in a slanting position at room 

temperature (250 C) for clotting and then were incubated in the refrigerator at 4°C for overnight. 

Sera were collected and then centrifuged at 1000 rpm for 15 minutes to have a more clear serum. 

The serum samples were stored at -20°C until analysis. Serum transaminases were assayed by 

conventional enzymatic methods by Hitachi 911 automated analyzer from Roche Diagnostics 

(Laval, QC, Canada) as per manufacturer’s specifications. All data were presented as mean ± SE 

and differences among the groups of birds were compared using one-way ANOVA with post-hoc 

Duncan’s multiple range test. Statistical analysis was performed using XLstat software. 

 

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION  

3.1. Effects of Probiotics and Growth Promoter on Birds Body Weight  

Results on body weight of 3 different groups of birds used in the present study is shown in 

Table 1. On day 7, comparatively lower body weight gain was recorded in birds of group A 

compared to group B and C. On day 14, the highest body weight gain was recorded in birds of 

group B which was significantly (p <0.05) higher than control group (p < 0.05) and at the end of 

experiment, the highest weight gain was recorded in birds of group B. It is found that body 

weight was increased significantly (p < 0.05) in all groups of birds with advancement of age. 

However in group A, body weight gain was slower compared to others treated group. The 

increased rate of body weight gain in the treated groups might be due to an increased feed intake, 

feed consumption, utilization, digestion, absorption and metabolism of supplied feed nutrient 

essential for their health and body weight gain.  

 

Table-1. Effect of probiotics and growth promoter on body weight in grams (mean±SE) of 
broilers. 

 
   Figures with different superscript letter in the same column differ significantly (p < 0.05).  

 

The results obtained were agreed with the findings of earlier reports of Manickam, et al. 

[14], and Islam, et al. [15]. Cavazzoni, et al. [16] and Rowghani, et al. [17] who stated that 

mean body weight and daily live weight gain were higher (P<0.05) in the probiotic fed chickens 

than the control group and similar to growth promoter fed chickens. On the other hand, Gunal, et 

al. [18] demonstrated that probiotic treatment significantly increased ileum and jejunum villus 

height ultimately increase body weight gain (P<0.05), whereas antibiotic growth promoter 

treatment significantly decreased muscularis thickness compared to the basal diet. But the present 



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106 

findings differ from Ergun, et al. [19] who stated that supplementation of probiotic, with or 

without antibiotic growth promoter; to the rations has no important effect on live weight gain. 

 

3.2. Effects on Weights of Different Selected Organs 

The effects of probiotics and growth promoter on weights of different selected organs are 

presented in Table 2. The liver weight was recorded higher in all treated groups and was the 

highest in group B which was statistically significant (P<0.05). However, no statistical significant 

was observed among the treated groups. 

 

Table-2. Effect of probiotics and growth promoter on weight (mean ± SE) of different organs of broiler. 

Figures with different superscript letter in the same column differ significantly (p < 0.05). 

 

The highest spleen weight was recorded in group C and then group B. Kamruzzaman, et al. 

[20] found that spleen weight were differed (p<0.05) among different groups after feeding with 

probiotics and antibiotic whereas Mehdi, et al. [21] observed that dietary inclusion of probiotic 

supported a superior performance of broiler, can be applied as antibiotic growth promoter 

substitutions in broilers diet. 

The weight of breast meat of control group, B and C were 582.6±21.56 g, 766.9±47.79 g and  

750.4±42.71g respectively. The highest breast weight was recorded in group B (0.5 g growth 

promoter /liter drinking water)   and lowest weight was recorded in control group. 

The present findings are contradictory with those of Baidya, et al. [22] and Mandal, et al. 

[23], who observed that feeding of probiotics did not have any influence on the carcass yield. 

Pelicano, et al. [24] observed that feeding of different probiotics influence on carcass and meat 

quality of broilers. Brzoska, et al. [25] also demonstrated that supplementation of probiotics, with 

or without antibiotic, to the rations have no important effect on breast meat yield. 

The highest leg weight was recorded in group B (0.5 g probiotic /liter drinking water) and 

lowest weight was recorded in group A. Leg meat weight in treatment group increased 

significantly (p< 0.05). The present finding is similar with the earlier experiment of Pelicano, et 

al. [24] who observed higher leg weight gain in birds after treatment with probiotic 

supplementation. 

 

3.3. Effects on Haemato-Biochemical Parameters 

The effects of feeding probiotics and growth promoter on hemato-biochemical profile are 

presented in table 3. Increased total erythrocyte count (TEC) was observed in birds of group B 

which was statistically significant (p<0.05) compared to control group and treated group C. 

Groups Weight of different organs (g)  

Liver  Spleen  Breast meat  Leg meat 
Control  30.83±0.327a 2.677±0.043a 582.6±21.56a 260±15.42a 
Group B 57.95±2.22b 3.04±0.043b 766.9±47.79b 495±13.31b 

Group C 51.59± 1.36b 3.573±0.069c 750.4±42.71b 402±16.91c 



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107 

Similarly, the values of Hb concentration and PCV were only increased significantly in group B. 

It is noted that birds treated with antibiotic growth promoter have no influence on hematological 

values rather it reduced the values slightly as the gut micro flora may be reduced under the 

influence of antibiotic. 

The results of the current study on  hematological parameters are in agreement with the 

findings of Kamruzzaman, et al. [20] and Islam, et al. [15] who stated that the mean values of 

TEC, Hb, and PCV corresponding to the different treatments were differ significantly (p<0.05).  

 

Table-3. Effect of probiotics and growth promoter on hemato-biological parameters (mean±SE) 

of broilers (n=10). 

Groups Haemato-biochemical parameters 

TEC(millions/mm3) Hb (g/dl) PCV (%) AST(U/L) ALT( 
U/L) 

Control  2.84±0.36a 7.90 ± 0.10a 21.00±0.51a 230.7 
±14.80a 

12.57±0.42a 

Group B 3.17±0.69b 9.33±0.3b 24.33±1.01b 313.7±23.06b 7.47±0.3b 
Group C 2.70 ±0.53a 7.94±0.31a 22.03±1.00b 293.5±13.07c 7.13±0.70b 

Figures followed by different superscript letter in the same column differ significantly  
(p <0.05). TEC, Total erythrocyte count; Hb, hemoglobin: PCV, packed cell volume; AST, asparate transaminase and 
ALT, alanine transaminase. 
 

Among the serum bio-chemical parameters, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) values were 

found significantly higher in treated groups, group B and C in comparison to control group.The 

lowest and statistically significant (ALT) alanine transaminase serum concentration was recorded 

in all treated groups. The present findings are in agreement with the findings of Kamruzzaman, et 

al. [20] who stated that the values of ALT and AST were differ significantly (p<0.05) among the 

treatment groups.  

Under the present experimental condition, it is concluded that feeding of probiotics and 

growth promoter increases expected body weight gain and improves hemato-biochemical 

parameters in birds. However, feeding probiotics showed better improvement than growth 

promoter. Further study with more experimental birds are needed to make final conclusion. 

 

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