الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Antibiotics are used in the poultry industry to prevent disease so as to improve meat and egg production. However, the use of antibiotics in feed resulted in development of drug-resistant bacteria, drug residues in the body of the birds and imbalance of normal micro flora. The ban on feed grade antibiotic growth promoters and increasing demand for human protein food sources have resulted in a need for new feed materials which provide a safe source of nutrients for poultry. It has been recognized by researchers that Spirulina exhibit various bioactivities. Many studies depict the bioactive compounds that are possessed by Spirulina as having potential, such as anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, immune-stimulant, anti-cancer and anti-HIV bioactivities. The concentration of Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA) in Spirulina is remarkably high. A recent study about GLA’s effect on blood lipids stated that Essential fatty acids such as GLA can prevent accumulation of cholesterol in the body, and Spirulina has an appreciable amount of GLA. It can be concluded that Spirulina, rich in antioxidants, GLA, amino acids and fatty acids, helped reduce the increased levels of lipids in patients with hyperlipidemic nephrotic syndrome. Spirulina (blue-green alga) is one of the high quality natural feed additives that can be used in animal and poultry nutrition. Spirulina is relatively high in protein with values ranged between 55-65% and includes all of the essential amino acids. Spirulina is nutrient rich; it has been shown to be an excellent source of proteins, vitamins and mineral and antioxidants. Spirulina is an edible microalga and a highly nutritious potential feed resource for many agriculturally important animal species. Research findings have associated Spirulina to improvements in animal growth, fertility and nutritional product quality. Feed conversion ratio was also significantly improved of broiler chicks fed with Spirulina diet. Blood plasma concentration of cholesterol was significantly (p<0.05) lower in local strains of laying hens fed diets containing spirulina platinsis. Immunoglobulin (IgA, IgG and IgM) antibody levels were significantly enhanced by treatment with Spirulina extract in broiler chicks. Spirulina intake has also been linked to an improvement in animal health and welfare. CONCLUSION: It could be concluded that chicks fed diet high Spirulina platinsis level diet during growing periods improved performance, digestibility of nutrients, some biological blood parameters, antioxidant traits and immune response.