Systematic Review
Open Access
Countering Antimicrobial Resistance: Impacts of Natural Growth Promoters on Growth Performance, Immunity, Gut Microbiota and Morphology in Broiler Chicken: A Systematic Review
Abstract
Background and Objective: Antibiotic Growth Promoters (AGPs) have been widely used to improve broiler performance. However, their use is declining due to concerns about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and increasing consumer demand for antibiotic-free products. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of alternative growth promoters on growth performance, immune response, gut microbiota, and intestinal morphology in broiler chickens.
Materials and Methods: Relevant studies published between 2015 and 2025 were collected from PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Google Scholar. A total of 183 articles were identified, and 99 were included after a rigorous screening process. Data on growth performance, gut morphology, microbial modulation, and immune responses were synthesized qualitatively.
Results: The findings showed improved growth performance, indicated by better Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) and increased Body Weight Gain (BWG). Enhanced immune function was observed through higher serum antibody levels and increased weights of immune organs. Natural alternatives also promoted beneficial microbes while reducing pathogenic populations. Positive changes in gut morphology were noted, including increased villus height and a higher villus height to crypt depth ratio. Dietary inclusion was the primary method of administering these growth promoters.
Conclusion: Alternative growth promoters have positive and often synergistic effects on growth performance, gut health, immune function, and intestinal microbiota in broiler chickens. However, existing challenges and knowledge gaps highlight the need for optimized formulations and standardized application protocols.
Keywords:
Antibiotics, growth promotion, natural alternatives, poultry nutritionGeographical Article Usage
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ednah Masila, Edwin Murungi, Nathan Langat, Christine Inguyesi, Irene Ogali, Johnstone Neondo, Jeremiah Gathirwa, Eric Too, Peter Ndirangu, Monicah Maichomo, Moses Olum
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
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Masila, E., Murungi, E., Langat, N. ., Inguyesi, C. ., Ogali, I., Neondo, J. ., Gathirwa, J., Too, E., Ndirangu, P., Maichomo, M., & Olum, M. (2026). Countering Antimicrobial Resistance: Impacts of Natural Growth Promoters on Growth Performance, Immunity, Gut Microbiota and Morphology in Broiler Chicken: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Poultry Science, 25, 141–153. https://doi.org/10.66920/ijps.2026.141.153
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