Dietary Supplementation of Cyperus rotundus Tuber Extract Enhances Growth Performance, Immune Response, and Antioxidant Status in Broiler Chickens

The search for natural alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in poultry production remains a critical research objective. This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with Cyperus rotundus tuber extract (CRTE) on growth performance, immune response, and antioxidant status in broiler chickens. Two hundred one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments: a control group fed a basal diet (CON) and a treatment group fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.5% CRTE, with 100 birds per group replicated five times. The experiment lasted 35 days. Growth parameters were recorded weekly. Immune function was assessed via antibody titers against Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) for humoral immunity and a phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P) skin test for cell-mediated immunity. Blood samples were analyzed for hematology, serum biochemistry, and antioxidant markers at trial termination. Results indicated that CRTE supplementation significantly (p<0.05) improved final body weight (2156.3 vs. 2018.7 g) and feed conversion ratio (1.58 vs. 1.67). The treated group exhibited enhanced (p<0.01) humoral immunity, demonstrated by higher NDV antibody titers (Log₂ 6.8 vs. 5.9), and improved (p<0.05) cell-mediated immunity (0.92 vs. 0.71 mm). Furthermore, CRTE birds showed a superior antioxidant profile with higher serum total antioxidant capacity (1.85 vs. 1.52 mM) and lower malondialdehyde levels (1.98 vs. 2.65 nmol/mL). In conclusion, dietary inclusion of 0.5% Cyperus rotundus extract improved broiler productivity, enhanced immune competence, and boosted antioxidant defense, presenting a viable natural feed additive for sustainable poultry production.