Influence of <i>Pulicaria jaubertii</i> addition as medicinal plant on growth indicators, antibody titers, immune-related gene expression, microbiota activity and intestinal histomorphology of male broilers

The study investigated the effects of dietary addition with PJ on the growth performance, immune response, and gut health of male broilers in the early phase. Four hundred and eighty-one-day- old male broilers (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments (control, T1–T3) with 20 cages per treatment (6 chicks per cage). Diets T1–T3 contained 0.3%, 0.6% and 0.9% PJ powder, respectively. The present study included chicken’s performance indicators and analysis of serum antibody titers, SCFAs and target genes of the microbiota, immune response and morphological parameters of the small intestine. The results showed that broilers fed the PJ diets had higher body weight, daily weight gain and improved feed conversion ratio. The dietary supplementation affected beneficial bacteria such as <i>Lactobacillus spp</i>. and <i>Bifidobacterial spp</i>. and possibly reduced some harmful bacteria. Increased villus height and surface area in the small intestine by PJ powder. The PJ powder increased antibodies against infectious bursal disease at specific doses. Expression of some immunity genes indicates potential immune stimulation at higher PJ levels. Increased expression of genes related to mucosal immunity. These results suggest that PJ powder may promote broiler growth performance, gut health and possibly targeted immune responses.