Hepatic health in poultry production is a crucial factor to ensure animal welfare, productivity, and zootechnical performance. The liver is a multifunctional organ responsible for essential metabolic processes, detoxification of substances, and support of the immune system. Therefore, preserving its function is a priority in intensive production systems.

In this context, different products have been developed to help maintain liver function under optimal conditions and prevent disorders. Among them, two groups stand out:

• Hepatic protectors; 

• Hepatic modulators. 

Although both aim to support liver health, their approaches are different. Understanding these differences is essential for a strategic use in animal nutrition, according to the production phase and the challenges faced by the birds.

What is a hepatic protector?

Hepatic protectors are substances designed to prevent liver damage and protect the functional integrity of the liver against challenges such as:

• Environmental toxins; 

• Feed contaminants; 

• Mycotoxins. 
   

These products usually contain a combination of:

• Vitamins (such as vitamin E); 

• Minerals (such as selenium); 

• Amino acids (such as methionine); 

• Plants with hepatoprotective properties (such as milk thistle and artichoke). 

These ingredients act synergistically to:

• Strengthen liver defenses; 

• Improve detoxification capacity; 

• Reduce hepatic inflammation. 

The use of hepatic protectors is especially recommended during periods of rapid growth, feed transitions, vaccination, and environmental stress, providing additional support to maintain optimal liver function and reduce the incidence of diseases.

Why is a hepatic modulator different from a hepatic protector?

Unlike protectors, which have a preventive role, hepatic modulators in poultry play a more active role in the physiological regulation of liver function. In other words, they not only contribute to protection but also help modulate liver processes, promoting more efficient function.

These products typically contain:

• Plant extracts (such as rosemary and turmeric); 

• Prebiotics and probiotics; 

• Organic acids; 

• Oligosaccharides. 

By promoting the balance of the intestinal microbiota, they help improve digestion, nutrient absorption, and reduce the toxic load on the liver.

Among their physiological effects, the following stand out:

• Regulation of hepatic enzymatic activity; 

• Stimulation of cellular regeneration; 

• Reduction of hepatic inflammation. 

These mechanisms are particularly useful in situations of metabolic overload, allowing the liver to restore its optimal performance even after physiological challenges.

Conclusion

Hepatic protectors and modulators in poultry are strategic allies in maintaining liver health. Each product group offers specific benefits, and their selection should consider:

• Management conditions; 

• Production phase; 

• Health status of the flock; 

• Zootechnical objectives. 

While hepatic protectors mainly focus on preventing liver damage and preserving liver integrity, modulators go further by actively regulating liver function and contributing to improved intestinal health. In many cases, combining both types of products can be beneficial to maximize poultry performance in modern production systems.

Want to explore this evaluation further?

Talk to one of our technical specialists to understand how to adapt the use to your production reality: https://nuproxa.ch/en/contact/

An advanced solution from Nuproxa

Nuproxa offers Livoliv 250™, a polyherbal product developed based on nutrigenomics, combining a complex set of phytoactives capable of supporting the modulation and acceleration of hepatic regeneration metabolism, helping promote optimal liver functionality and improve poultry performance.

Source:

Nuproxa technical team. Entendiendo las diferencias entre un protector hepático y un modulador hepático en avicultura.