Abstract
This study explored the impact of incorporating Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide (PSP) into broilers’ diets on their growth, serum mineral levels, tibia characteristics, and nutrient digestibility. A total of 240 day-old male Ross-308 broiler chicks were randomly divided into three experimental groups, each consisting of 8 replicates of 10 birds. The birds were fed diets supplemented with PSP at three levels: 0, 400, and 800 mg·kg−1, denoted as control, 400PSP, and 800PSP, respectively. Notably, the 800PSP group exhibited a linear improvement in feed conversion ratio and weight gain at 35 days of age. Crude protein and calcium digestibility were improved (P>0.05) by PSP inclusion. The PSP addition did not influence the carcass traits, except for the relative weight of pectoral muscle, which increased linearly (P>0.05) in the 800PSP group. Immune organ indexes exhibited a linear increase (P>0.05) in the PSP-fed groups. There were no notable changes in hepatic and renal function biomarkers at 21 and 35 days of age. However, at 35 days of age, the serum lipid profile was affected, as linear and quadratic reductions (P>0.05) in the concentrations of cholesterol, LDL and HDL were noticed. On day 21 of age, serum calcium, potassium, and iron levels exhibited linear increases (P>0.05) in the 800PSP group. Moreover, the tibia ash content at 21 and 35 days of age increased linearly and quadratically (P>0.05) in the 400PSP and 800PSP groups. In conclusion, incorporating PSP in broilers’ diets improved their growth, tibia ash content, serum minerals and lipid profile, and nutrient digestibility, particularly at the 800 mg·kg−1 level.