lignans in humans and animals, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects have been scientifically described: they decrease the gene expression of various pro-inflammatory cytokines and bind free radicals, thus reducing lipid peroxida- tion and the formation of hydroxyl radicals. The combination of these effects attenuates the inflamma- tory processes in birds that are permanently challenged by both external stressors (such as flock density, suboptimal climatic conditions, etc.) and internal ones (e.g. rapid growth rate, pathogens, nutrient imbalances). Since inflammation is a process with intensive energy requirements, its attenuation is a cost-saver and, consequently, this spared energy will be channelled into growth performance. It was on the basis of this scientific backbone that a wood-derived complementary feed (agromed ROI, agromed Austria GmbH) was developed containing the bark of a specific tree species rich in lignans and that is known to have anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-oxidative properties which will support the animal and optimise its performance.
Lignans’ mode of action The specially selected wood lignans are highly active in the gut where they reduce the causes and consequences of in- flammation by affecting the inflammatory cascade at different levels. First, the development of inflammation is directly mod- ulated through downregulated gene expression of different pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as Interleukin-6 or TNF-α. The wood lignans involved also affect the cell wall integrity of the pathogenic bacteria by increasing its permeability, or even
causing lysis of the cell wall. This, together with the disruption of the bacterial membranes, will constrain bacterial growth, reduce pathogenic pressure and therefore will not lead to an intensive immune response. Fewer pathogenic stressors mean less corresponding formation of free radicals and less reactive oxygen species and thus, less damage to gut tissue. Together with an increased expression of tight junction proteins, the se- lected wood lignans improve gut integrity and therefore build up a greater resistance to the paracellular passage of toxins and pathogens, further reducing external stressors.
Proving efficacy When this scientific evidence was applied on farm, the wood lignans repeatedly affected the zootechnical performance of broilers as had been assumed: the controlled inflammatory response led to an improvement in feed conversion. Figure 1 summarises the efficacy of dietary supplementation of a complementary feed rich in wood lignans, when applied in different parts of the world. Each bar on the x-axis represents data from a feeding trial conducted with broilers (research institutions, as well as commercial farms), while the y-axis shows the relative change in feed conversion compared to a non-supplemented control group. An average of these feed- ing trials revealed an improvement in FCR of 3.3% due to the wood-derived feed supplement. A reduction in FCR by 0.1 re- sults in 3% less excretion, which also means 3% less nitrogen and phosphorus excretion as a result. Thus, improving FCR contributes not only to farm profitability but to sustainable poultry production, too.
▶ POULTRY WORLD | No. 5, 2022 27
It is undisputed that the best feed conversion and perfor- mance can only be achieved by healthy animals.
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