Antioxidant Status and Liver Function of Young Turkeys Receiving a Diet with Full-Fat Insect Meal from Hermetia illucens

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Insects can be used as an alternative source of protein and fat in poultry feed. To date, in most research, the administration of invertebrates as a replacement for soybean meal in chicken diets has produced satisfactory results. We hypothesized that full-fat insect meal from Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae can also be an acceptable source of protein and energy in the diet of young turkeys, and at the same time can improve their antioxidant status and metabolism. Our research showed that the level of HI meal in the diet of turkeys should not exceed 5%. The use of a higher level of HI than 5% in the diet of young turkeys has a negative effect on lipid metabolism, lipid oxidation and fat deposition in the liver. ABSTRACT: We hypothesized that full-fat insect meal from Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae can be an acceptable source of protein and energy in the diet of young turkeys, in an amount adapted to the nutritional needs of these birds, and at the same time can improve their antioxidant status and metabolism. The turkeys were fed a control diet (HI(0)) without the insect meal, and three diets with increasing HI content of 5%, 10% and 15% (treatments HI(5), HI(10) and HI(15), respectively). The use of 10% or 15% HI in the diet of young turkeys, while beneficially raising levels of P, Fe and Hb, has a negative effect on lipid metabolism, increasing TC levels, lipid oxidation, and fat deposition in the liver. The inclusion of 5% HI in the diet of young turkeys has no adverse effect on the lipid status and histology of the liver, but it does not improve antioxidant status. To conclude, the level of HI meal in the diet of turkeys should not exceed 5%. However, as similar studies on turkeys have not yet been published, overly general conclusions should not be drawn from the results of the present study, and further research is necessary.