The impact of full-fat Hermetia illucens larvae meal on the health and immune system function of broiler chickens

Bartłomiej Tykałowski; Andrzej Koncicki; Joanna Kowalczyk; Marcin Śmiałek; Tadeusz Bakuła; Daria Murawska; Wiesław Sobotka; Tomasz Stenzel

doi:10.2478/jvetres-2023-0022

Figures & Tables

Production parameters of broiler chickens fed diets with different levels of full-fat Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae meal

Parameter	Age (days)	Group				SEM	P-value
Parameter	Age (days)	HI-0	HI-50	HI-75	HI-100	SEM	P-value
BW (g)	42	3046.0^a	2727.0^b	2504.5^b	2378.0^c	39.80	<0.001
FCR (kg/kg)	1–42	1.63^a	1.59^a	1.59^a	1.77^b	0.068	0.009
CM (%)	1 – 42	3.15^a	5.20^b	7.20^c	28.20^d	0.62	<0.001

Results of cytometric analysis of blood samples of broiler chickens on the 21st and 42nd days of life (n = 8)

Group	Mean size of particular T and B cell subpopulations as percentages of gated lymphocytes (± standard deviation) age of birds (days)
Group	CD3⁺CD4⁺		CD3⁺CD8a⁺		CD4⁺CD8a⁺		CD3⁻Bu-1⁺
21	42	21	42	21	42	21	42
HI-0	4.81^a(±0.82)	9.59(±3.88)	3.70^ab(±1.36)	2.12(±0.69)	0.55(±0.25)	0.27(±0.13)	5.2(±0.55)	5.19(±0.63)
HI-50	5.09^a(±0.89)	7.22(±2.00)	3.95^a(±1.06)	2.20(±2.28)	0.39(±0.11)	0.22(±0.11)	5.49(±0.42)	5.08(±0.32)
HI-75	6.60^b(±1.17)	7.58(±3.61)	3.68^ab(±1.07)	2.99(±1.82)	0.45(±0.28)	0.21(±0.10)	5.19(±1.00)	5.24(±0.56)
HI-100	5.67^ab(±1.42)	6.59(±1.12)	2.34^b(±1.04)	3.27(±1.76)	0.46(±0.23)	0.24(±0.10)	5.09(±0.56)	5.58(±0.39)

Mean values of post-vaccination antibody titres in serum samples of broiler chickens on the 21st and 42nd days of life (n = 23)

Group	Titre age of birds (days)
	aMPV		NDV		IBV
	21	42	21	42	21	42
HI-0	9	5	213	197	172	2,147^a
HI-50	5	1	287	108	140	877^b
HI-75	26	27	209	88	169	866^b
HI-100	5	25	368	117	133	918^b

Mean values (± standard deviation) of biochemical parameters in blood serum samples of 42-day-old broiler chickens (n = 10)

Group	Parameter
Group	ALT(U/L)	AST(U/L)	ALP(U/L)	TP(g/dL)	CK(U/L)	LDH(U/L)	CALC(mg/dL)	PHOS(mg/dL)	UA(mg/dL)
HI-0	14.50(±7.42)	428.00^a(±69.00)	9,020.00±4,594.00	3.01±0.29	28,086.00^a±7,286.00	4,679.00^a±981.00	11.14^a±0.18	7.09^a±0.85	4.60^a±1.97
HI-50	11.70(±8.16)	338.00^b±61.00	5,668.00±2,398.00	3.16±0.20	15,321.00^b±5,732.00	2,843.00^b±434.00	11.35^ab±0.63	6.49^ab±0.94	6.66^b±1.68
HI-75	12.30(±7.16)	265.00^c±30.00	6,662.00±2,795.00	3.27±0.27	13,469.00^b±3,085.00	2,206.00^c±459.00	12.61^b±0.42	5.73^b±0.54	6.70^b±1.36
HI-100	10.70(±6.29)	278.00^bc±51.00	5,575.00±2,288.00	3.21±0.12	14,805.00^b±5,483.00	2,280.00^c±322.00	11.95^b±0.99	5.80^b±0.85	6.78^b±2.68

Results of cytometric analysis of spleen samples of broiler chickens on the 42nd day of life (n = 8)

Group	Mean size of particular T and B cell subpopulations as percentages of gated lymphocytes (± standard deviation)
Group	CD3⁺CD4⁺	CD3⁺CD8a⁺	CD4⁺CD8a⁺	CD3⁻Bu-1⁺
HI-0	30.91^a±7.36	49.14±7.20	2.16±0.74	13.92±0.84
HI-50	25.18^a±6.37	51.14±5.34	2.17±0.48	14.86±2.72
HI-75	23.06^ab±4.12	55.48±4.00	1.81±0.57	13.03±1.63
HI-100	22.70^b±4.95	55.98±5.47	1.95±0.75	14.51±3.33

Mean values (± standard deviation) of haematological parameters in blood samples of 21-day-old broiler chickens (n = 5)

Group	Parameter				Leukogram (%)
	RBC(10¹²/L)	WBC(10⁹/L)	Hb(g/dL)	PCV(%)	Lymphocytes	Granulocytes			Monocytes
	RBC(10¹²/L)	WBC(10⁹/L)	Hb(g/dL)	PCV(%)	Lymphocytes	Heterophils	Eosinophils	Basophils	Monocytes
HI-0	1.92(±0.42)	29.60(±24.00)	9.34(±1.25)	25.40(±3.43)	53.60(±12.36)	39.60(±11.06)	0.60(±0.45)	1.20(±0.45)	5.20(±3.70)
HI-50	1.56(±0.54)	26.70(±14.75)	9.1(±0.34)	25.60(±0.55)	57.40(±9.94)	37.00(±10.91)	0.80(±1.09)	2.20(±2.86)	3.00(±1.41)
HI-75	1.22(±0.26)	18.2(±7.16)	9.38(±0.58)	26.60(±0.89)	60.20(±6.94)	34.00(±9.77)	0.80(±1.30)	1.80(±1.09)	3.20(±3.11)
HI-100	1.58(±0.40)	20.90(±9.15)	8.82(±1.35)	24.20(±2.95)	55.80(±10.01)	37.80(±11.63)	0.90(±1.31)	1.60(±0.89)	4.80(±2.39)

Mean values (± standard deviation) of haematological parameters in blood samples of 42-day-old broiler chickens (n = 5)

Group	Parameter				Leukogram (%)
	RBC(10¹²/L	WBC(10⁹/L)	Hb(g/dL)	PCV(%)	Lymphocytes	Granulocytes			Monocytes
	RBC(10¹²/L	WBC(10⁹/L)	Hb(g/dL)	PCV(%)	Lymphocytes	Heterophils	Eosinophils	Basophils	Monocytes
HI-0	2.02(±0.43)	10.40(±4.80)	11.26(±0.89)	30.80(±1.30)	26.30(±13.92)	77.40(±12.99)	0.40(±0.42)	0.20(±0.40)	4.20(±2.97)
HI-50	1.40(±0.35)	17.60(±3.36)	9.84(±0.69)	26.40(±1.95)	34.00(±11.91)	62.20(±11.61)	0.30(±0.26)	0.10(±0.25)	3.8(±2.77)
HI-75	1.48(±0.16)	11.70(±4.98)	9.48(±0.67)	25.60(±1.67)	29.60(±13.06)	73.40(±12.54)	0.30(±0.67)	0.20(±0.33)	4.6(±3.21)
HI-100	1.34(±0.13)	17.50(±9.28)	10.28(±1.06)	27.80(±2.49)	25.30(±19.51)	42.80(±41.91)	0.50(±1.09)	0.30(±0.89)	3.8(±2.48)

Ingredient composition and energy value of full-fat Hermetia illucens larvae meal

Ingredients	%
Dry matter	93.20
Crude protein	40.76
Crude fat	29.38
Crude fibre	6.65
Crude ash	6.94
Ca	1.38
Na	0.23
Total P	0.78
Energy value	MJ/kg
Gross energy	24.81
AME_N	18.16

Ingredient composition and nutrient content of complete diets (g/kg, as-fed basis) with or without full-fat Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae meal fed to broiler chickens at 1–14, 15–35 and 36–42 days of life (dol)

Item	Diet
	Starter (1–14 dol)				Grower (15–35 dol)				Finisher (36–42 dol)
	HI-0	HI-50	HI-75	HI-100	HI-0	HI-50	HI-75	HI-100	HI-0	HI-50	HI-75	HI-100
Substitution¹ (%)	0	50	75	100	0	50	75	100	0	50	75	100
Ingredients
Corn	300.0	300.0	300.0	300.0	300.0	300.0	300.0	300.0	200.0	200.0	200.0	200.0
Wheat	288.0	303.6	288.1	274.6	315.6	330.3	319.0	311.2	467.6	494.6	489.6	484.1
Soybean meal	340.0	170.0	85.0	0.0	300.0	150.0	75.0	0.0	240.0	120.0	60.0	0.0
Soybean oil	30.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	45.0	25.0	30.0	25.0	55.0	35.0	30.0	25.0
HI larvae meal	0.0	200.0	300.0	400.0	0.0	170.0	250.0	340.0	0.0	130.0	200.0	270.0
Monocalcium phosphate	15.0	4.0	4.0	3.0	13.0	4.0	4.0	3.0	12.0	3.0	3.0	3.0
Fodder chalk	12.5	6.0	6.0	4.0	12.5	6.0	6.0	4.0	12.5	4.0	4.0	4.0
Sodium bicarbonate	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5
Fodder salt	2.0	0.5	0.5	0.5	2.0	1.0	0.0	0.0	2.0	0.5	0.0	0.0
L-Lysine HCl	2.5	4.2	4.5	6.0	2.5	3.5	5.7	6.5	1.8	3.0	3.5	4.0
DL-Methionine	2.4	2.8	3.0	3.0	1.6	1.7	1.9	1.9	1.2	1.5	1.5	1.5
L-Threonine	0.2	1.5	1.5	1.5	0.4	1.0	1.0	1.0	0.5	1.0	1.0	1.0
Choline chloride	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9
Mineral-vitamin premix²	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.0	5.0
Calculated nutrient content
AME_N, kcal/kg	3,000	3,000	3,000	3,000	3,120	3,120	3,120	3,120	3,180	3,180	3,180	3,180
Total protein⁴	233.6	238.1	237.8	237.2	213.8	218.2	214.9	216.3	196.1	192.5	194.5	195.0
Lysine³	13.5	13.5	13.5	13.5	11.7	11.8	11.8	11.8	10.0	10.0	10.0	10.0
Methionine³	6.3	6.4	6.7	6.7	5.9	6.0	6.0	6.0	4.7	4.9	5.0	5.0
Met+ Cys³	10.1	10.2	10.2	10.3	9.5	9.6	9.6	9.6	7.5	7.7	7.7	7.7
Threonine³	8.2	8.2	8.4	8.4	8.2	8.4	8.4	8.4	6.8	7.0	7.0	7.1
Tryptophan³	2.3	2.3	2.3	2.3	2.2	2.1	2.2	2.1	2.1	2.0	2.0	2.0
Crude fibre⁴	28.8	32.4	31.3	34.2	27.8	35.3	35.6	35.8	27.8	30.5	31.7	31.2
Crude fat⁴	50.3	74.0	93.5	131.5	64.9	75.6	105.7	125.7	75.8	82.2	104.3	119.1
Total calcium³	10.0	10.0	9.9	9.9	9.4	9.4	9.3	9.3	8.8	8.8	8.6	8.6
Available phosphate³	4.8	4.9	4.9	4.9	4.5	4.6	4.6	4.6	4.0	4.1	4.1	4.1
Na³	1.7	1.7	1.8	1.8	1.7	1.6	1.6	1.6	1.7	1.6	1.6	1.6

Mean values (± standard deviation) of biochemical parameters in blood serum samples of 21-day-old broiler chickens (n = 10)

Group	Parameter
Group	ALT(U/L)	AST(U/L)	ALP(U/L)	TP(g/dL)	CK(U/L)	LDH(U/L)	CALC(mg/dL)	PHOS(mg/dL)	UA(mg/dL)
HI-0	9.80(±4.78)	239.00(±114.00)	29,881.00(±36,308.00)	2.60(±0.19)	4,966.00^a(±2,563.00)	1,780.00(±133.00)	11.43^a(±0.60)	7.81^a(±0.78)	6.75^a(±1.45)
HI-50	9.21(±5.16)	177.00(±27.00)	39,223.00(±48,949.00)	2.69(±0.26)	2,058.00^b(±542.00)	1,502.00(±699.00)	12.27^ab(±1.70)	4.45^b(±0.86)	8.80^ab(±3.02)
HI-75	8.69(±7.64)	163.00(±9.00)	33,367.00(±34,329.00)	2.71(±0.23)	2,104.00^b(±699.00)	1,419.00(±542.00)	12.33^ab(±1.30)	6.06^b(±1.29)	8.41^ab(±6.03)
HI-100	8.93(±6.78)	169.00(±15.00)	19,175.00(±23,075.00)	2.64(±0.19)	2,021.00^b(±1,330.00)	1,588.00(±541.00)	12.58^b(±0.90)	6.13^b(±1.15)	10.10^b(±3.64)

The impact of full-fat Hermetia illucens larvae meal on the health and immune system function of broiler chickens

Figures & Tables

Production parameters of broiler chickens fed diets with different levels of full-fat Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae meal

Results of cytometric analysis of blood samples of broiler chickens on the 21st and 42nd days of life (n = 8)

Mean values of post-vaccination antibody titres in serum samples of broiler chickens on the 21st and 42nd days of life (n = 23)

Mean values (± standard deviation) of biochemical parameters in blood serum samples of 42-day-old broiler chickens (n = 10)

Results of cytometric analysis of spleen samples of broiler chickens on the 42nd day of life (n = 8)

Mean values (± standard deviation) of haematological parameters in blood samples of 21-day-old broiler chickens (n = 5)

Mean values (± standard deviation) of haematological parameters in blood samples of 42-day-old broiler chickens (n = 5)

Ingredient composition and energy value of full-fat Hermetia illucens larvae meal

Ingredient composition and nutrient content of complete diets (g/kg, as-fed basis) with or without full-fat Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae meal fed to broiler chickens at 1–14, 15–35 and 36–42 days of life (dol)

Mean values (± standard deviation) of biochemical parameters in blood serum samples of 21-day-old broiler chickens (n = 10)

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