Effect of Dietary α-Ketoglutarate Supplementation on the Performance, Gut Health, Gene Expression, Antioxidant Capacity, and Hematology in Broilers
by
,
Hagar Elashry
1,*,†, 
Husam H. Nafea
2,
Ahmed Khalid Ahmed
3,4,
Noor Naji Alhayani
5,
Mostafa Elashry
6,7,†,
Rania Elsayed Mahmoud
1,
Tarek Ibrahim
1,
Abeer Aziza
1,* and
Mutassim Mohamed Abdelrahman
8 1
Department of Nutrition and Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
2
Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Anbar, Anbar 55431, Iraq
3
Department of Animal Production, College of Agriculture, Tikrit University, Tikrit 34001, Iraq
4
Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
5
Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Anbar, Anbar 55431, Iraq
6
Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
7
Key Laboratory of Dairy Cow Genetic Improvement and Milk Quality Research of Zhejiang Province, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
8
Department of Animal Production, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(5), 470; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13050470
Submission received: 1 May 2026
/
Revised: 7 May 2026
/
Accepted: 9 May 2026
/
Published: 13 May 2026
Simple Summary
This study investigates the potential application of α-ketoglutaric acid (AKG) as a dietary supplement for broilers to promote growth and maintain health amid challenges in poultry production. AKG has properties that fight inflammation and free radicals. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of AKG on growth efficiency, blood parameters, and intestinal histology in 216 one-day-old broilers, categorized into three groups: a control basal diet, 0.5% AKG, or 1.0% AKG, with six replicates of 12 chicks each. Results showed that body weight, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio (especially at 0.5% AKG, which also led to less feed intake) all improved significantly. Levels of total protein, albumin, RBC, Hb, PCV, IL-10, SOD, and CAT all went up, while levels of MDA, RDW_CV, and IL-1β all went down. Jejunal histology remained normal with no changes in villus height, crypt depth, or ratio. In conclusion, AKG supplementation boosts broiler growth, biochemical, and immune parameters without histological harm. This provides societal benefits by enhancing poultry productivity, improving feed efficiency, and promoting animal welfare. It has the potential to lower costs and support sustainable food security in animal agriculture.
Abstract
Background: Due to α-Ketoglutaric acid (AKG)’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, it may serve as a beneficial feed supplement for broilers. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of AKG supplementation in broiler diets on growth efficiency, blood indicators, and histological status. Methods: Two hundred sixteen unsexed, one-day-old broilers were randomly assigned to three experimental groups utilizing a completely randomized design. Each treatment was then subdivided into six replicates, each consisting of twelve chicks. In the experiment, the 1st group received a control (basal diet); the 2nd group received the basic diet supplemented with 0.5% AKG; and the 3rd group received the basal diet supplemented with 1.0% AKG. Results: The findings indicate that the addition of 0.5% and 1% AKG to broiler feed significantly (p < 0.05) improved BW, BWG, and FCR, particularly during the early stages of growth. The 0.5% AKG group had better feed efficiency and less FI, which means they grew faster and used nutrients better. AKG administration significantly (p < 0.05) increased TP and albumin levels in avian subjects, while simultaneously decreasing MDA and elevating CAT concentrations. Adding AKG to the broiler diet raises the levels of RBC, Hb, and PCV, but lowers RDW_CV. The results indicate that AKG lowers inflammation by raising IL-10 levels and lowering IL-1β levels. It also raises levels of antioxidant enzymes like SOD and CAT. Microscopic analysis revealed normal jejunal mucosa, submucosa, and muscular layers across all groups, including those receiving AKG supplements. The jejunal villus height, crypt depth, and their ratio were unchanged. The structure and function of the intestinal lining showed no significant changes when compared to the control. Conclusions: Adding AKG to broiler feed helps their growth, biochemical, and immune system indicators, but it does not hurt their histological conditions.
Keywords:
AKG; blood indicator; broiler; histology; growth performance
