A water extract from the Ampelopsis grossedentata plant improved feed efficiency and intestinal health in broiler chickens at a dose of 50 milligrams per kilogram of feed, according to a 2026 study of 480 chickens published in Poultry Science. Gram Research analysis shows that supplemented chickens had better feed conversion ratios, lower cholesterol levels, taller intestinal structures, and improved fat metabolism compared to control groups, suggesting the extract acts as a metabolic regulator rather than a growth promoter.
Researchers tested a natural plant extract from Ampelopsis grossedentata in chicken feed to see if it could improve their health and meat quality. According to Gram Research analysis, chickens fed 50 milligrams per kilogram of this plant extract showed better feed efficiency, healthier intestines, and improved fat metabolism compared to control groups. The extract contains beneficial compounds called flavonoids that appear to work through specific cellular pathways. While the supplement didn’t make chickens grow faster or eat more, it did improve how their bodies process nutrients and maintain intestinal health, suggesting it could be useful for poultry farming.
Key Statistics
A 2026 study of 480 broiler chickens found that dietary supplementation with 50 milligrams per kilogram of Ampelopsis grossedentata water extract improved feed conversion ratio and reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol compared to higher doses and control groups.
Research published in Poultry Science identified 46 differential lipid species in chicken muscle tissue following supplementation with the plant extract, characterized by decreased neutral lipids and increased beneficial phospholipid derivatives.
Transcriptomic analysis in the 2026 broiler chicken study revealed 1,032 differentially expressed genes in pectoral muscle and 1,227 in the ileum, with enrichment in metabolic pathways including AMPK and PPAR signaling.
Chickens receiving the plant extract showed improved intestinal villus height and villus height-to-crypt depth ratio at selected doses, indicating enhanced intestinal structure for nutrient absorption.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether a water extract from a plant called Ampelopsis grossedentata could improve chicken health, digestion, and meat quality when added to their feed.
- Who participated: 480 one-day-old white-feathered broiler chickens divided into six groups, each receiving different amounts of the plant extract (or none) for 42 days.
- Key finding: Chickens receiving 50 milligrams of plant extract per kilogram of feed showed the best results: better feed efficiency, lower cholesterol levels, and improved intestinal structure compared to chickens receiving higher doses or no supplement.
- What it means for you: This research suggests that natural plant supplements could help improve poultry farming efficiency and meat quality. For consumers, this might eventually mean healthier chicken products, though more research in humans would be needed before applying these findings to human nutrition.
The Research Details
Researchers divided 480 baby chickens into six equal groups. Each group received the same basic feed, but with different amounts of a plant extract added: none, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, or 200 milligrams per kilogram of feed. The chickens ate this diet for 42 days, which is the typical time it takes to raise broiler chickens for meat. Scientists measured how much the chickens grew, how much they ate, and how efficiently they converted feed into body weight. They also collected blood samples and examined the chickens’ intestines and muscles under microscopes. For the group that performed best (the 50 mg/kg group), researchers did advanced testing to understand exactly how the plant extract was changing the chickens’ bodies at a molecular level.
The plant extract itself was made by soaking the plant material in water and then analyzing it to identify all the active compounds. The researchers found that the extract contained many beneficial plant chemicals called flavonoids, with one compound called dihydromyricetin being the most abundant. This approach allowed them to test a whole plant extract rather than just one isolated chemical, which is more similar to how plants work in nature.
The study was designed to find the optimal dose of the supplement. By testing six different amounts, the researchers could determine which level worked best and whether more of the supplement was always better. This type of dose-response study is important because it helps identify the sweet spot where benefits are maximized without wasting resources or potentially causing problems.
Understanding how natural plant supplements affect chicken health is important for sustainable farming. If supplements can improve feed efficiency, farmers can produce the same amount of meat using less feed, which saves money and reduces environmental impact. Better intestinal health means chickens are less likely to get sick, which could reduce the need for antibiotics in farming. This research also helps scientists understand how plant compounds work in animal bodies, which could eventually lead to applications in human nutrition.
This study was published in Poultry Science, a peer-reviewed journal that specializes in poultry research. The researchers used a large sample size (480 chickens) divided into multiple treatment groups, which increases confidence in the results. They used multiple research methods including blood tests, tissue examination, and advanced molecular analysis (lipidomics and transcriptomics), which provides a comprehensive picture. However, the study was conducted only in chickens, so results may not directly apply to other animals or humans. The study also focused on one specific plant extract, so results may not generalize to other plant supplements.
What the Results Show
The most important finding was that chickens receiving 50 milligrams of plant extract per kilogram of feed showed the best overall results. These chickens had better feed conversion ratio, meaning they gained more weight per unit of feed consumed compared to chickens receiving the highest dose (200 mg/kg). This is a practical benefit for farmers because it means less feed is wasted.
Blood tests showed that chickens receiving 50 to 200 milligrams of the extract had higher levels of albumin (a protein that indicates good nutritional status) and lower levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (the type of cholesterol associated with health problems). Lower cholesterol is generally considered beneficial.
When researchers examined the chickens’ intestines, they found that the extract improved intestinal structure. Specifically, the finger-like projections in the intestines (called villi) were taller and had better proportions in chickens receiving the supplement. Taller villi mean more surface area for absorbing nutrients, which could explain the improved feed efficiency.
At the molecular level, the extract changed how the chickens’ muscles processed fats. The researchers identified 46 different types of lipids (fats) that were altered in the muscle tissue. Notably, the chickens had less of certain unhealthy fats (like triglycerides and free fatty acids) and more of certain beneficial fats (like phosphatidylcholine). This suggests the supplement was helping the chickens’ bodies manage fat metabolism more efficiently.
Interestingly, the plant extract did not significantly affect how much the chickens grew or how much they ate overall. This means the supplement was not acting as a growth promoter in the traditional sense. Instead, it was making the chickens’ bodies work more efficiently with the food they already consumed. The researchers also found that most conventional meat quality measurements were unchanged, suggesting the supplement doesn’t negatively affect the meat itself. Gene expression analysis revealed that the extract activated specific cellular pathways involved in fat burning and energy metabolism, particularly pathways called AMPK and PPAR signaling. These pathways are known to be important for healthy metabolism.
This research builds on previous studies showing that plant flavonoids can influence animal metabolism. The findings align with earlier research suggesting that natural plant compounds can improve intestinal health and fat metabolism in poultry. However, this study is notable for using a whole plant extract rather than isolated compounds, and for identifying the specific molecular pathways involved. The dose-response pattern observed here (where 50 mg/kg was optimal but higher doses were less effective) is consistent with other nutritional supplement research, suggesting there may be an optimal level for many plant-based interventions.
This study was conducted only in chickens, so the results may not apply to other animals or humans. The research focused on one specific plant extract, so findings may not generalize to other plant supplements. The study lasted 42 days, which is the normal lifespan for broiler chickens raised for meat, but longer-term effects in other animals are unknown. The researchers did not test whether the supplement could prevent disease or improve outcomes in sick chickens. Additionally, while the molecular analysis was thorough, it was only conducted in the best-performing group (50 mg/kg), so we don’t have complete molecular data for all treatment groups. The study was conducted in a controlled laboratory setting, so results might differ in real farm conditions with different environmental factors.
The Bottom Line
Based on this research, a supplementation level of 50 milligrams of Ampelopsis grossedentata water extract per kilogram of chicken feed appears to be optimal for improving feed efficiency and intestinal health in broiler chickens. This recommendation has moderate confidence because it comes from a well-designed animal study with a large sample size, though it has not yet been tested in human nutrition. Farmers considering this supplement should start with this dose and monitor results. Higher doses (100 to 200 mg/kg) did not provide additional benefits and may be wasteful.
Poultry farmers and the poultry industry should pay attention to these findings because improved feed efficiency directly affects profitability and environmental sustainability. Feed companies developing poultry supplements could use this research to guide product development. Consumers interested in sustainable farming practices may care about this research because it suggests ways to reduce resource use in meat production. Nutritionists and researchers studying plant-based supplements should note this work as an example of how to properly evaluate supplement efficacy. People interested in human nutrition should note that while this is interesting basic research, it has not yet been tested in humans, so direct application to human diet is not yet supported.
In chickens, the benefits appeared within the 42-day study period, with improvements in feed efficiency and intestinal structure visible by the end of the feeding trial. If this supplement were eventually tested in humans, benefits would likely take weeks to months to appear, as changes in metabolism and intestinal health typically develop gradually. Farmers implementing this supplement should expect to see improvements in feed conversion ratio within one to two weeks of starting supplementation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ampelopsis grossedentata extract make chickens grow faster?
No, the 2026 study found that the plant extract did not significantly affect average daily gain or feed intake. Instead, it improved feed efficiency, meaning chickens gained more weight per unit of feed consumed without eating more or growing faster overall.
What is the best dose of this plant extract for chickens?
Research shows 50 milligrams per kilogram of feed produced the best results, with improved feed conversion ratio and intestinal health. Higher doses up to 200 mg/kg did not provide additional benefits and were less efficient.
How does this plant extract improve chicken health?
The extract contains flavonoid compounds that activate metabolic pathways called AMPK and PPAR signaling. These pathways improve how the chicken’s body processes fats and enhances intestinal structure, allowing better nutrient absorption and more efficient metabolism.
Can humans use this plant extract for better health?
This study was conducted only in chickens, so direct application to humans is not yet supported. While the research is interesting for understanding how plant compounds affect metabolism, human studies would be needed before recommending this supplement for people.
Does this supplement affect the quality of chicken meat?
The 2026 study found that most conventional meat quality measurements were unchanged by the supplement. The extract improved internal metabolic processes and intestinal health without negatively affecting the meat itself.
Want to Apply This Research?
- For poultry farmers using a nutrition tracking app: Log daily feed consumption and weight gain for each flock group separately. Calculate and track feed conversion ratio (total feed consumed divided by total weight gained) weekly. Compare the treated group’s feed conversion ratio to your historical baseline and to control groups to quantify the supplement’s real-world impact.
- Implement a structured supplementation protocol: Add the plant extract to feed at precisely 50 mg/kg, measure it accurately using a scale, and mix it thoroughly into the feed before distribution. Set weekly reminders to calculate feed conversion ratio and compare results. Document any changes in flock health, mortality, or disease incidence to track benefits beyond feed efficiency.
- Establish a long-term tracking system that monitors feed conversion ratio, average daily gain, and feed cost per pound of meat produced over multiple flock cycles. Compare these metrics before, during, and after supplementation to establish whether benefits persist. Track intestinal health indicators indirectly through reduced disease incidence and mortality rates. Consider periodic blood testing or tissue sampling to verify that the supplement is producing the expected metabolic changes.
This research was conducted in chickens and has not been tested in humans. The findings apply specifically to broiler chicken nutrition and may not generalize to other animal species or human health. Anyone considering implementing this supplement in poultry operations should consult with a veterinarian or poultry nutritionist. This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or veterinary advice. Always consult qualified professionals before making changes to animal feed or nutrition protocols.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.