Research On Animal Production

Extended Abstract

Introduction and Objective: Cottonseed meal (CSM) is a by-product of the separation of oil from cottonseed, which is limited in poultry feed due to its gossypol, cyclopropenoid fatty acids, high fiber and low protein quality. For this purpose, in the present study, the effect of different levels of cottonseed meal with silymarin on the performance and some blood parameters of broilers was investigated.

Material and Methods: Treatments consisted of different levels of CSM (0, 12 and 24 percentage of diet) and 2 levels of silymarin (0 and 600 ppm) that was performed in completely randomized design with 2×3 factorial arrangement with 240 broiler chicks. Experimental diets for starter period (1 to 21 days) and grower period (22 to 42 days) were performed based on the requirements of the National Research Council. Feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded weekly. On day 42 of breeding, blood samples were taken to evaluate blood lipid parameters. Breast weight, thighs, abdominal fat, total gastrointestinal tract, liver, spleen and bursa of fabricius were also measured at day 42 and the data were reported as a percentage of live body weight.

Conclusion: The results of this experiment showed that supplementation of silymarin at 600 ppm to the CSM diets could not reduce negative effects of gossypol in broiler chickens.