Antibiotics have been used for many years as growth promoters. They contribute to build the immunocompetence (i.e. ability of the body to produce a n

The prolonged use of antibiotics has led to the development of resistant bacteria and also led to accumulation of antibiotic residue in the poultry f

Antibiotics are essential for treating bacterial and fungal infections in plants, animals, and humans. Their widespread use in agriculture and the food industry has significantly enhanced animal health and productivity. However, extensive and often inappropriate antibiotic use has driven the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a global health crisis marked by the reduced efficacy of antimicrobial treatments. Recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the top ten global public health threats, AMR arises when certain bacteria harbor antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) that confer resistance that can be horizontally transferred to other bacteria, accelerating resistance spread in the environment. AMR poses a significant global health challenge, affecting humans, animals, and the environment alike. A One-Health perspective highlights the interconnected nature of these domains, emphasizing that resistant microorganisms spread across healthcare, agriculture, and the environment. Recent scientific advances such as metagenomic sequencing for resistance surveillance, innovative wastewater treatment technologies (e.g., ozonation, UV, membrane filtration), and the development of vaccines and probiotics as alternatives to antibiotics in livestock are helping to mitigate resistance. At the policy level, global initiatives including the WHO Global Action Plan on AMR, coordinated efforts by (Food and Agriculture Organization) FAO and World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and recommendations from the O’Neill Report underscore the urgent need for international collaboration and sustainable interventions. By integrating these scientific and policy responses within the One-Health framework, stakeholders can improve antibiotic stewardship, reduce environmental contamination, and safeguard effective treatments for the future.

The potential effects of anthocyanin-rich roselle, Hibiscus sabdariffa L. extract (ARRE) on the growth, carcass traits, intestinal histomorphology, breast muscle composition, blood biochemical parameters, antioxidant activity, and immune status of broiler chickens were evaluated. In the present study, Hibiscus acidified ethanolic extract was reported to have a total anthocyanin content of about 359.3 mg cyanidin 3-glucoside/100 g DW, total polyphenol concentration (TPC) of about 598 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g DW, and total flavonoids (TFs) of about 100 mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/100 g DW. Two-hundred-fifty one-day-old chicks (Ross 308 broiler) (87.85 gm ± 0.32) were randomly allotted to five experimental groups and fed on basal diets supplemented with five levels of ARRE: 0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg Kg⁻¹ for 35 days. Dietary ARRE addition did not improve the birds’ growth and carcass traits. Supplemental ARRE increased the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (ω-3) percentage in the breast muscle. Dietary ARRE increased the villous height, and the ARRE100 group raised the villus height to crypt depth ratio. Dietary ARRE increased the immunoexpression of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in the spleen. The serum thyroxine hormone (T4) level was higher in the ARRE200 group. The serum growth hormone level was increased by ARRE addition in a level-dependent manner. According to the broken-line regression analysis, the optimum inclusion level of ARRE was 280 mg Kg⁻¹. All levels of supplemental ARRE decreased the serum triglyceride level. The serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was increased in the ARRE100-ARRE400 groups, the serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) level was increased in the ARRE200 group, and the serum malondialdehyde (MDA) level was decreased by increasing the ARRE level. Supplemental ARRE significantly increased the serum levels of lysozymes and IL10. The serum complement 3 (C3) level was increased in ARRE200 and ARRE400 groups. It can be concluded that dietary ARRE addition had many beneficial effects represented by the improvements in the bird’s metabolic functions, blood biochemistry, intestinal morphology, antioxidant activity, immune status, and higher ω-3 content in the breast muscles. However, it had no improving effect on the birds’ growth.

The effect of phenolic-rich onion extract (PROE), as a feed additive, was evaluated on the growth, carcass traits, behavior, welfare, intestinal histology, amino acid ileal digestibility “AID%,” and the immune status of broiler chicks for 35 days. A total number of 400, 1-day-old broiler chicks (45.38 g ± 1.35) were allocated to four different treatments with 10 replicates each (100 chicks/treatment) consisting of: T1, basal diet without additives (control treatment) (PROE0); T2, basal diet + phenolic-rich onion extract (1 g/kg diet) (PROE1); T3, basal diet + phenolic-rich onion extract (2 g/kg diet) (PROE2); and T4, basal diet + phenolic-rich onion extract (3 g/kg diet) (PROE3). An increase in the final body weight “FBW,” bodyweight gain “BWG,” and feed consumption was observed (P < 0.05) at different PROE levels. Also, the thymus and bursa percentages were increased in the PROE2 and PROE3 treatments (P < 0.05). The chicks fed on PROE supplemented diets had increased frequency of feeding and drinking and showed comfortable behavior (P < 0.05) with lesser aggression (P < 0.05). Additionally, an increase was observed in the antioxidant enzyme activity, phagocytic %, phagocytic index, and serum lysozyme activity in PROE supplemented treatments, with the best outcome reported in the PROE3 treatment (P < 0.01). IgM was increased in the birds fed with PROE2 and PROE3 diets (P < 0.01). PROE supplementation increased the AID% of lysine and methionine (P <0.01), PROE3 treatment increased the AID% of threonine (P < 0.05), and PROE2 and PROE3 treatments increased the AID% of leucine and isoleucine (P < 0.05). Besides, PROE2, and PROE3 treatments increased the villus height and width, mucosal thickness, and goblet cell count from the duodena, jejuna, and ilea (P < 0.05) compared to control treatment. Based on these results, we concluded that the dietary addition of phenolic-rich onion extracts can improve the growth rate of broiler chicken by improving the AID% of amino acids and intestinal histology. Also, it can improve the welfare, antioxidant enzymes activity, and immune status of the birds. Phenolic-rich onion extracts can be used as a natural growth promoter in the poultry feed for good health and improved performance.

There is interest in the enrichment of poultry meat with long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in order to increase the consumption of these fat