Modulation of Antioxidant Defense, Immune Response, and Growth Performance by Inclusion of Propolis and Bee Pollen into Broiler Diets

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Broiler meat provides a considerable nutritional source of animal protein in the human diet. However, the intensive and accelerating growth in broiler breeding programs requires a continuous or intermittent use of antibiotics to improve the health and performance of broilers. Antibiotic resistance and residues problems cause a general limitation on the use of antibiotics in poultry production worldwide, and hence, prompt researchers and feed companies to find natural alternatives. In the present study, we investigated the possible impact of propolis (PR) and bee pollen (BP) in nutritional strategies on the performance and immunity of broiler chickens. The obtained results display the ability of PR and BP contained within the broiler diets to enhance the antioxidant defense system and improve several immunological parameters. These beneficial effects coincided with an increase in the growth performance of broilers. Thus, supplementation of PR and BP separately or in combination could be recommended into broiler diets for their positive impacts as natural products on the performance and health of broilers. ABSTRACT: (1) Background: Propolis and bee pollen have natural bioactive compounds that may support the performance and immunological response of broilers. (2) Methods: The study included 300 1 d old Cobb-500 broiler chicks. Starting from 22–42 d of age, chicks were divided according to a 2 × 2 factorial design into one of the four treatment groups (5 replicates × 15 chicks per replicate); a basal diet without supplementation (CONT) or supplemented with 1 g/kg of propolis (PR) or bee pollen (BP) separately or in an even combination (PR + BP). (3) Results: A significant (p < 0.05) increase was obtained in the body-weight gain of broilers treated with PR, BP, and PR + BP compared to the CONT. The total antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase were highly (p < 0.05) activated in all treated groups compared to the CONT. Immunological parameters, especially the leukocyte cell viability, T- and B-lymphocyte proliferation, immunoglobulins (IgA and IgM), antibody titers, and wattle-swelling test were significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced in the treated broilers with PR and/or BP compared to the CONT. (4) Conclusions: The dietary supplementation of PR and/or BP could be beneficial for broiler growth through maximizing the antioxidant- and immune-system defenses.