Effect of feeding processed Soybean Meal on broiler’s performance, intestinal morphology, cecal microbial population and immune response

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Abstract
This study aimed to assess the effects of different levels of processed soybean meal (PSBM) on the growth performance, intestinal morphology, cecal bacterial count, and immune responses of broilers. A total of 560 Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly assigned to seven groups. The control group received a basal diet based on standard soybean meal (SBM). Groups S1 (starter 1), G1 (grower 1), and F1 (full period 1) received diets containing 2.5% PSBM, while Groups S2, G2, and F2 received diets containing 5% PSBM at each life phase, respectively. The results demonstrated that average daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio were significantly improved in the groups fed the 5% PSBM diet. Additionally, PSBM replacement did not affect villus length in any intestinal region. Nevertheless, increasing dietary PSBM content reduced intestinal goblet cell number (P<0.01) and cecal Clostridia population (P<0.01). Furthermore, PSBM enhanced bronchitis antibody titers and immune responses against PHA at 24 and 48 hours after injection, respectively (P<0.01). In conclusion, adding 5% PSBM to regular SBM is recommended, particularly in the grower phase, due to its positive effects on broilers.

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