Search Results (18)

Fermented soybean meal (FSM) can improve protein utilization efficiency but is easily degraded in the rumen; therefore, it cannot provide sufficient metabolizable protein (MP) for dairy cows. Here, the rumen degradation characteristics of FSM combined with tannin extracts from quebracho or chestnut trees or heat-treated were investigated regarding in vitro gas production and in situ in the rumens of three fistulated cows. The results of the rumen in situ incubation showed that the dry matter (DM) degradation rate decreased in the three rumen treatments. Compared with those of the FSM, the effective degradation rate of the FSM with chestnut tannin was significantly reduced and the rumen undegradable protein was significantly increased. The MP% (DM%) and MP (DM% × DM recovery) indicators in the FSM with chestnut or quebracho tannins increased, but the difference was not significant, whereas those of the FSM decreased following heat treatment. The results concerning in vitro gas production showed that tannin could reduce the rate of biogas production of the slowly degraded part. In conclusion, chestnut tannin is more suitable for protecting FSM from rumen degradation than heat treatment. This study provides a feasible treatment solution for applying FSM to dairy cows, which improves the soybean meal protein utilization efficiency and reduces the amount of soybean meal used. Full article

In this study, the aim was to evaluate the effects of dietary 25-hydroxycholecalciferol supplementation from day 85 of gestation on performance, antioxidant capacity, and immunoglobulin level of sows and newborn piglets. On day 85 of gestation, forty Landrace × Yorkshire gestating sows (average body weight of 241 ± 6.8 kg; average parity of 3.47 ± 0.6) were allotted into two treatments (20 replicates per treatment) based on parity, body weight, and back fat thickness. From day 85 of gestation to farrowing, sows were fed a normal vitamin D₃ diet as control (containing 50 μg/kg vitamin D₃; CON), or a 25-hydroxycholecalciferol-supplemented diet (containing 50 μg/kg 25-hydroxycholecalciferol). Compared with CON, dietary 25-hydroxycholecalciferol supplementation increased (p < 0.05) protein and fat content in colostrum and the average birth body weight of newborn piglets. Sows fed 25-hydroxycholecalciferol showed increased (p < 0.05) apparent total tract digestibility of crude protein compared with CON. Diets supplemented with 25-hydroxycholecalciferol also increased (p < 0.05) the content of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and tended to increase (p = 0.06) the total antioxidant capacity content and reduce (p = 0.09) the malondialdehyde (MDA) level in colostrum. An increase (p < 0.05) in the content of SOD and a reduction (p < 0.05) in the content of MDA in the serum of newborn piglets was also observed in the 25-hydroxycholecalciferol treatment compared with CON. Dietary 25-hydroxycholecalciferol supplementation also enhanced (p < 0.05) the immunoglobulin G content and reduced (p < 0.05) the concentration of tumor nuclear factor-α in the serum of sows, as well as reducing (p < 0.05) the content of immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin A in the serum of newborn piglets compared with CON. Supplementation of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in sow diets increased (p < 0.05) the content of alkaline phosphatase in the serum and colostrum of sows, the concentration of insulin and crosslap in serum of sows, and the serum calcium content of newborn piglets compared with CON. In conclusion, dietary 25-hydroxycholecalciferol supplementation from day 85 of gestation could enhance performance, antioxidant capacity, and immunoglobulin in sows and newborn piglets. Full article

Probiotics provide health benefits and are used as feed supplements as an alternative prophylactic strategy to antibiotics. However, the effects of Bacillus-based probiotics containing more than two strains when supplemented to pigs are rarely elucidated. SOLVENS (SLV) is a triple-strain Bacillus-based probiotic. In this study, we investigate the effects of SLV on performance, immunity, intestinal morphology, and microbial community in piglets. A total of 480 weaned pigs [initial body weight (BW) of 8.13 ± 0.08 kg and 28 days of age] were assigned to three treatments in a randomized complete block design: P0: basal diet (CON); P200: CON + 200 mg SLV per kg feed (6.5 × 10⁸ CFU/kg feed); and P400: CON + 400 mg SLV per kg feed (1.3 × 10⁹ CFU/kg feed). Each treatment had 20 replicated pens with eight pigs (four male/four female) per pen. During the 31 d feeding period (Phase 1 = wean to d 14, Phase 2 = d 15 to 31 after weaning), all pigs were housed in a temperature-controlled nursery room (23 to 25 °C). Feed and water were available ad libitum. The results showed that the pigs in the P400 group increased (p < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) in phase 2 and tended (p = 0.10) to increase ADG overall. The pigs in the P200 and P400 groups tended (p = 0.10) to show improved feed conversion ratios overall in comparison with control pigs. The pigs in the P200 and P400 groups increased (p < 0.05) serum immunoglobulin A, immunoglobulin G, and haptoglobin on d 14, and serum C-reactive protein on d 31. The pigs in the P200 group showed an increased (p < 0.01) villus height at the jejunum, decreased (p < 0.05) crypt depth at the ileum compared with other treatments, and tended (p = 0.09) to have an increased villus–crypt ratio at the jejunum compared with control pigs. The pigs in the P200 and P400 groups showed increased (p < 0.05) goblet cells in the small intestine. Moreover, the pigs in the P400 group showed down-regulated (p < 0.05) interleukin-4 and tumor necrosis factor-α gene expressions, whereas the pigs in the P400 group showed up-regulated occludin gene expression in the ileum. These findings suggest that SLV alleviates immunological reactions, improves intestinal microbiota balance, and reduces weaning stress in piglets. Therefore, SOLVENS has the potential to improve health and performance for piglets. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary tannic acid (TAN) on the gas production, growth performance, antioxidant capacity, rumen microflora, and fermentation function of beef cattle through in vitro and in vivo experiments. TAN was evaluated at 0.15% (dry matter basis, DM) in the in vitro experiment and 0.20% (DM basis) in the animal feeding experiment. The in vitro results revealed that compared with control (CON, basal diet without TAN), the addition of TAN significantly increased the cumulative gas production and asymptotic gas production per 0.20 g dry matter substrate (p < 0.01), with a tendency to reduce methane concentration after 96 h of fermentation (p = 0.10). Furthermore, TAN supplementation significantly suppressed the relative abundance of Methanosphaera and Methanobacteriaceae in the fermentation fluid (LDA > 2.50, p < 0.05). The in vivo experiment showed that compared with CON, the dietary TAN significantly improved average daily gain (+0.15 kg/d), dressing percent (+1.30%), net meat percentage (+1.60%), and serum glucose concentration (+23.35%) of beef cattle (p < 0.05), while it also significantly reduced hepatic malondialdehyde contents by 25.69% (p = 0.02). Moreover, the TAN group showed significantly higher alpha diversity (p < 0.05) and increased relative abundance of Ruminococcus and Saccharomonas (LDA > 2.50, p < 0.05), while the relative abundance of Prevotellaceae in rumen microbial community was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) as compared to that of the CON group. In conclusion, the dietary supplementation of TAN could improve the growth and slaughter performance and health status of beef cattle, and these favorable effects might be attributed to its ability to alleviate liver lipid peroxidation, enhance glucose metabolism, and promote a balanced rumen microbiota for optimal fermentation. Full article

Yaks live in the harsh environment of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, and the cold climate causes lower growth efficiency. The aim of this experiment was to explore the effects of drinking warm water on the growth performance in yak calves and investigate the underlying physiological mechanisms. A total of 24 Datong yak calves were selected and randomly assigned into the cold water group (group C, water temperature around 0–10 °C without any heating; 58.03 ± 3.111 kg) and the warm water group (group W, water constantly heated at 2 °C; 59.62 ± 2.771 kg). After the 60-day experiment, body weight was measured, and rumen fluid and blood serum samples were collected for analysis. The results show that the body weight and average daily gain of yaks that drank warm water were higher compared to those that drank cold water (p < 0.05). The acetic, propionic, isobutyric, valeric, and isovaleric acid concentrations were higher in group W than in group C (p < 0.05). Additionally, warm water changed the ruminal microbes at different levels. At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Tenericutes, Kiritimatiellaeota, and Elusimicrobiota was higher in group C (p < 0.05). At the genus level, three genera were increased by warm water, including Ruminococcoides and Eubacteriales Family XIII. Incertae Sedis, and 12 genera were decreased, including Ruminococcus (p < 0.05). At the species level, unclassified Prevotellaceae and Ruminococcoides bili were increased by warm water compared to cold water (p < 0.05). According to the metabolomics results, metabolites, including valine, isoleucine, PC (15:0/22:2(13Z,16Z)), and LysoPC (18:0/0:0), were increased in the warm water group compared to the cold water group (p < 0.05), and were enriched in glycerophospholipid and amino acid metabolism pathways. This study analyzed the differences in ruminal microbes and metabolomes of yak calves provided with water at different temperatures and revealed the potential mechanism for better performance promoted by warm drinking water. Full article

The research aimed to investigate the suitable drinking water temperature in winter and its effect on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and rumen fermentation function of beef cattle. A total of 40 beef cattle (640 ± 19.2 kg) were randomly divided into five treatments with eight cattle in each treatment raised in one pen according to initial body weight. Each treatment differed only in the temperature of drinking water, including the room-temperature water and four different heat water groups named RTW, HW_1, HW_2, HW_3, and HW_4. The measured water temperatures were 4.39 ± 2.546 °C, 10.6 ± 1.29 °C, 18.6 ± 1.52 °C, 26.3 ± 1.70 °C, and 32.5 ± 2.62 °C, respectively. The average daily gain (ADG) showed a significant linear increase during d 0 to 60 and a quadratic increase during d 31 to 60 with rising water temperature (p < 0.05), and the highest ADG of 1.1911 kg/d was calculated at a water temperature of 23.98 °C (R² = 0.898). The average rectal temperature on d 30 (p = 0.01) and neutral detergent fiber digestibility (p < 0.01) increased linearly with increasing water temperature. Additionally, HW_2 reduced serum triiodothyronine, thyroxine, and malondialdehyde (p < 0.05), and increased serum total antioxidant capacity (p < 0.05) compared with RTW. Compared with HW_2, RTW had unfavorable effects on ruminal propionate, total volatile fatty acids, and cellulase concentrations (p < 0.05), and lower relative mRNA expression levels of claudin-4 (p < 0.01), occludin (p = 0.02), and zonula occludens-1 (p = 0.01) in the ruminal epithelium. Furthermore, RTW had a higher abundance of Prevotella (p = 0.04), Succinivibrionaceae_UCG-002 (p = 0.03), and Lachnospiraceae_UCG-004 (p = 0.03), and a lower abundance of Bifidobacteriaceae (p < 0.01) and Marinilabiliaceae (p = 0.05) in rumen compared to HW_2. Taken together, heated drinking water in cold climates could positively impact the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant capacity, and rumen fermentation function of beef cattle. The optimal water temperature for maximizing ADG was calculated to be 23.98 °C under our conditions. Ruminal propionate and its producing bacteria including Prevotella, Succinivibrionaceae, and Lachnospiraceae might be important regulators of rumen fermentation of beef cattle drinking RTW under cold conditions. Full article

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of heated water intake on the growth performance, serum biochemical indexes, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients and ruminal fermentation function of yak calves in winter. A total of 24 yaks (59.09 ± 3.181 kg) were randomly selected and divided into a cold water (fluctuated with the temperature of test sites at 0–10 °C) group (CW) (58.58 ± 3.592 kg) and a heated water (20 °C) group (HW) (59.61 ± 2.772 kg). After 2 months of the experiment, body weight, serum biochemical indexes, ruminal fermentation characteristics and ATTD were measured. The results showed that drinking heated water increased (p < 0.05) the total weight gain and average daily gain of yaks compared with those drinking cold water. Heated water increased (p < 0.05) the levels of immune globulin M, interleukin-6, triiodothyronine, tetraiodothyronine and growth hormone compared with cold water. In addition, yaks drinking heated water showed higher (p < 0.05) ATTD of crude protein and ether extract, as well as increased (p < 0.05) content of total protein, albumin and urea nitrogen in serum than those drinking cold water. Compared with cold water, heated water showed increased (p < 0.05) total volatile fatty acids, acetic acid and propionic acid, and a reduced (p < 0.05) acetic acid to propionic acid ratio (p < 0.05). In conclusion, drinking heated water at 20 °C could improve performance via increasing nutrient digestibility and ruminal fermentation function in yak calves. Full article

The ingestion of cold water in winter results in fluctuating decreases in rumen temperature, impacting rumen fermentation function and methane production. This study aimed to investigate the impact of calcium propionate (CaP) on rumen fermentation characteristics, methane production, and microbial microbiome under different in vitro incubation temperatures. A 2 × 2 factorial experiment was conducted over 72 h, with or without 2.5% CaP (dry matter [DM] basis) in substrate under a constant incubation temperature (39 °C, CIT) or shifting incubation temperatures (12 cycles in total, with each cycle consisting of 4 h of incubation at 39 °C followed by immediate transfer to 30 °C for 2 h, ITS). The results showed that ITS inhibited the gas production, methane production, and methane concentration at 12 and 72 h (p < 0.05), and reduced the concentration of ammonium nitrogen (−14.25%), propionate (−16.14%), butyrate (−12.67%), and total volatile fatty acid (−8.50%) at 72 h more than the CIT groups (p < 0.05). The addition of 2.5% CaP significantly increased the gas production at 72 h (+4.84%), asymptotic gas production (+5.08%, per 0.2 g DM substrate), concentration of propionate (+18.05%), and valerate (+9.45%) (p < 0.05) compared to CaP-free groups, while it had no observable effect on the production or concentration of methane. Furthermore, the addition of 2.5% CaP yielded a significant increase in the relative abundance of Bacteroides (p < 0.05). Under the ITS condition, the relative abundance of Methanomicrobiales decreased and was positively correlated with methane production at 72 h (r = 0.47, p < 0.05). Additionally, CaP decreased the abundance of Prevotella_UCG_003 (p < 0.05), which was negatively correlated with the asymptotic gas production (r = 0.45, p < 0.05). Overall, our study suggests that the addition of 2.5% CaP can alleviate the adverse effects of ITS on in vitro fermentation parameters by regulating microbial composition and sustaining a reduction in methane production. Full article

Background: The study aimed to explore the effect of mulberry leaf powder (MP) on the performance, serum metabolites and antioxidant property, as well as intestinal health, of weaned piglets. A total of 120 healthy piglets weighing 8.43 ± 1.91 kg (Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire); weaned at 28 d) were chosen and classified into four treatments with three replicates of 10 piglets each based on a randomized complete block design (barrow:gilt = 1:1). The diet treatments were a corn–soybean meal basal diet added with 0% (Ctrl), 2% (MP_2), 4% (MP_4) and 6% MP (MP_6), respectively. The feeding experiment was 28 days in total. The feeding period lasted for 28 days in total. Results: The diet supplemented with 2% MP had no detrimental effects on the growth performance, immunity, enzyme capacity and inflammatory factors, as well as intestinal barrier function. MP_2 is capable of decreasing the levels of serum D-lactic acid and lactate dehydrogenase, enhancing the superoxide dismutase capacity in the liver and diminishing the potential pathogenic bacteria Allisonella in the colon. However, compared with MP_2, MP_6 had unfavorable effects on the average daily gain and average daily feed intake; the concentration of serum non-esterified fatty acids; the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and the capacity of lipase and amylase, as well as the intestinal barrier function-related mRNA expression of occludin, claudin-1 and mucin-2 in piglets. Conclusion: Taken together, piglets fed with 2% MP had no adverse effect and was capable of improving the serum metabolites, enhancing the antioxidant capacity (SOD) and lowering the potential pathogenic bacteria of the hindgut (Allisonella). However, the highest concentration of MP (6%) may cause detrimental effects for piglets, which are probably associated with the higher antinutritional factors and fiber. Therefore, the dietary supplementation of 2% MP for piglets may be advisable. Full article

Background: The purpose of the research was to investigate the effect of mulberry leaf powder (MP) of varying levels on growth performance, immuno-antioxidant status, meat quality and intestinal health. A total of 120 healthy finishing pigs (Duroc × [Landrace × Yorkshire], 72.2 ± 4.8 kg) were selected for this experiment and divided into four treatments, according to randomized complete block design, with three replicates of 10 pigs each (barrow:gilt = 1:1). The dietary treatments were as follows: (1) Ctrl, corn-soybean meal basal diet; (2) MP_6: basal diet with 6% MP. (3) MP_9: basal diet with 9% MP; (4) MP_12, basal diet with 12% MP. The whole experiment lasted for 33 days. Results: Compared to the Ctrl, dietary supplementation of 9% MP had no negative effects on growth performance, antioxidative capacity, intestinal digestive enzyme activities and inflammatory factors, carcass trait, the lipid profile and amino acid of muscle or related mRNA expression. MP_6 and MP_12 showed detrimental effects on average daily gain (p < 0.05) and digestibility (p < 0.05) of dry matter, crude protein and gross energy. Furthermore, MP_9 could improve (p < 0.05) the level of serum immunoglobulin M, enhance (p < 0.05) the a*_24h of meat, up-regulate (p < 0.05) the mRNA expression of occludin and Mucin-2, increase (p < 0.05) the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium and decrease (p < 0.05) the relative abundance of Campylobacter in the hindgut. Conclusion: Summarizing our study, dietary supplementation of 9% MP had no negative effects on growth performance, antioxidative capacity, intestinal digestive enzyme activities and inflammatory factors, carcass trait, the lipid profile and amino acid of muscle, or related mRNA expression. Furthermore, MP_9 could improve serum immunity, enhance meat quality, up-regulate the mRNA expression related to the mechanical and chemical barriers and enrich the beneficial microbiota of the hindgut. Hence, dietary supplementation of 9% MP in finishing pigs may be advisable. Full article

Background: Organic acid as a green feed additive is increasingly favoured by enterprises and scholars, but little emphasis has been placed on the effect of organic acids on broiler meat quality. Methods: A total of 192 male chicks (one-day-old, weighted 48.40 ± 0.64 g) were selected to investigate the effect of mixed organic acids (MOA) on growth performance, meat quality as well as fatty acids profile. Chicks were randomly allocated to three treatments with eight replicates and eight chicks per replicate, including a corn–soybean basal diet with 0 (CON), 3000 mg/kg (low MOA; LMOA), and 6000 mg/kg (high MOA; HMOA) MOA. The experiment was divided into starter (d 1–d 21) and grower (d 22–d 42) phases. Results: Broilers supplemented with LMOA and HMOA enhanced (p < 0.05) the final body weight and average daily gain in the grower and overall phases. An improved (p < 0.05) feed conversion ratio in the grower and overall phases was observed in broilers supplemented with LMOA. The breast and thigh muscles pH24h were higher (p < 0.05) in broilers fed with HMOA and the redness in thigh meat was also improved (p < 0.05). Additionally, supplementing LMOA increased (p < 0.05) the saturated fatty acids, unsaturated fatty acids and the ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids in breast meat. A positive effect occurred (p < 0.05) on jejunal villus height and ileal crypt depth in 21 d broilers supplemented with HMOA. Conclusion: Our findings indicated that dietary supplementation of MOA could improve the growth performance, meat quality, and fatty acids profile, as well as intestinal morphology. Furthermore, diets supplemented with mixed organic acids at 3000 mg/kg may be more desirable, considering the overall experimental results in broilers. Full article

This study aims to investigate the effects of ESBM on performance, antioxidant status, immune response, and intestinal barrier function of nursery pigs in antibiotic free diets compared with EFS. A total of 32 Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire) barrows (initial body weight of 8.05 ± 0.66 kg, weaned on d 28) were selected and allocated to two treatments with 16 replicates per treatment and one pig per replicate using a complete random design. The treatments included an EFS group (basal diet + 24% EFS; EFS) and an ESBM group (basal diet + 15% ESBM; ESBM). Corn was used to balance energy and diets were iso-nitrogenous at about 18% crude protein. The experiment lasted for 14 days and pigs were slaughtered for sampling on d 14. Compared with EFS, pigs fed ESBM showed enhanced (p < 0.05) gain to feed ratio and average daily gain and a reduced (p < 0.05) diarrhea score. These pigs had increased (p < 0.05) contents of glutathione peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, IgG, interleukin-10, and ferric reducing ability of plasma, as well as decreased (p < 0.05) malondialdehyde, IL-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interferon-γ, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, and diamine oxidase level in serum and TNF-α level in the jejunal mucosa. Moreover, these pigs also showed enhanced (p < 0.05) villus height/crypt depth in ileum, villus height in duodenum, protein expression of zonula-occludens-1 in jejunal mucosa, and fecal total volatile fatty acids and butyric acid contents. In conclusion, ESBM replacing EFS could enhance performance via improving immune response, antioxidant status, gut morphology, and barrier function of nursery pigs in antibiotic free diets. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary LY or LY combined with ZnO supplementation on performance and gut health in nursery pigs. 192 Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire piglets (weaned on d 32 of the age with 9.2 ± 1.7 kg BW) were allocated into four treatments with eight replicate pens, six piglets per pen. The treatments included a basal diet as control (CTR), an antibiotic plus ZnO diet (CTC-ZnO, basal diet + 75 mg/kg of chlortetracycline + ZnO (2000 mg/kg from d 1 to 14, 160 mg/kg from d 15 to 28)), a LY diet (LY, basal diet + 2 g/kg LY), and a LY plus ZnO diet (LY-ZnO, basal diet + 1 g/kg LY + ZnO). The results showed that pigs fed LY or LY-ZnO had increased (p < 0.05) average daily gain, serum IgA, IgG, superoxide dismutase, fecal butyric acid, and total volatile fatty acid concentrations, as well as decreased (p < 0.05) feed conversion ratio and diarrhea rate compared with CTR. In conclusion, pigs fed diets with LY or LY combined with ZnO had similar improvement to the use of antibiotics and ZnO in performance, antioxidant status, immunoglobulins, and gut health in nursery pigs. Full article

The effect of different cross-fostering strategies on the growth performance, stress and immunity of piglets was investigated in this study. In the first experiment, a total of 20 litters (i.e., 20 sows) and 120 piglets were classified into one of six treatments in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement. The treatments consisted of piglets without or with cross-fostering and different birth weights (low birth weight, LBW; intermediate birth weight, IBW; high birth weight, HBW). The weaning weight (WW) and average daily gain (ADG) of LBW piglets and IBW piglets were not significantly different between the not cross-fostered (NC-F) group and the cross-fostered (C-F) group. There was a higher (p < 0.05) ADG in the control piglets compared with the cross-fostered piglets. This effect on ADG was only seen in the HBW piglets. In the second experiment, six sows with a similar body condition and farrowed on the same day were selected. Three female piglets with a birth weight of 0.6–0.85 kg were selected from each litter as experimental piglets. Eighteen piglets were grouped into three treatments: (1) not cross-fostered (NC-F1), (2) cross-fostered at 36–48 h after birth (C-F1), (3) cross-fostered at day 7 after birth (C-F2). The growth performance of NC-F1 and C-F1 piglets was higher than C-F2 piglets (p < 0.05), and the suckling positions of NC-F1 and C-F1 piglets on days 8, 12, 16 and 20 were more forward than the C-F2 piglets (p < 0.05). Plasma cortisol (COR) concentrations of NC-F1 and C-F1 piglets were lower than C-F2 piglets (p < 0.05). A significant negative correlation was observed between BW at day 21 and plasma COR concentration. In conclusion, cross-fostering within 24 h of birth has adverse influences on the ADG of HBW piglets, while it has no negative effect on the ADG of LBW and IBW piglets. Moreover, for IBW piglets, late cross-fostering (i.e., on day 7 after farrowing) has negative impacts on the growth performance and teat order of piglets, and it increases the cortisol level of piglets. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of dietary fatty acids from various sources on growth performance, meat quality, muscle fatty acid deposition and antioxidant capacity in broilers. 126 Arbor Acres broilers (1 d-old, initial body weight of 45.5 ± 0.72 g) were randomly assigned to three treatments with seven cages per treatment and six broilers per cage. The dietary treatments included: (1) corn–soybean meal basal diet containing 3% soybean oil (control diet, CTL); (2) basal diet + 1% microalgae + 1% linseed oil + 1% soybean oil (ML); (3) basal diet + 2% fish oil + 1% soybean oil (FS). The trial consisted of phase 1 (day 1 to 21) and 2 (day 22 to 42). Compared with CTL, broilers fed ML or FS diet showed improved (p < 0.05) average daily gain in phase 1, 2, and overall (day 1 to 42), as well as a decreased (p < 0.05) feed conversion ratio in phase 1 and overall. On day 42, broilers supplemented with FS diet showed increased (p ≤ 0.05) the relative weights of pancreas and liver, as well as higher (p < 0.05) redness value in breast and thigh muscle compared with CTL. Broilers offered ML or FS diet had lower (p < 0.05) the relative weight of abdominal fat and total serum cholesterol content in phase 1, and increased (p < 0.05) contents of serum glucose, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), eicosacagetaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity, as well as lower (p < 0.05) concentrations of malondialdehyde, n-6 PUFA, and n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio in breast and thigh muscle compared with CTL. This research indicates that diets supplemented with fish oil or a combination of microalgae and linseed oil experience improved performance, antioxidant capacities and n-3 PUFA profile in muscle of broilers compared with traditional soybean oil supplemented diets Full article