Abstract

The present study was designed to evaluate the impacts of daily dietssupplemented with Amphora coffeaeformis and Star anise on growth performance and immunity of Cobb broiler chickens. Amphora coffeaeformis is considered a potent free radical scavenger due to the presence of β-carotene and fucoxanthin, which are used widely as food additives. Star Anise has a natural antioxidant, which can also be used for the chemo-prevention of disease occurring due to oxidative deterioration. A total of 270 broiler chickens were divided into three groups, each with three replicates of 30 birds. The control group (G1) was given the basal diet, the Amphora group (G2) received Amphora in a dose of 1g/Kg in the ration, and the Star anise group (G3) received Star anise in a dose of 2g /Kg in the ration. The results indicated that Amphora and Star anise significantly improved the final body weight, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio, total white blood cells count, phagocytic activity percentage, phagocytosis index in plasma, IgM, IgG, and A/G ratio in serum. In addition, Amphora and Star anise significantly increased mRNA expression of hepatic growth hormone gene, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) genes (IGF1), and mRNA expression of splenic interferon-gamma (INF-γ) and Interleukin 12 (IL-12p35) genes from broiler chickens, compared to the control group. In conclusion, the use of fed additives, such as Amphora coffeaeformisand Star anise in the diet of broiler chickens for 35 days was sufficient to improve broiler growth performance and could modulate their immunity.