The results of the present study showed that dietary supplementation with HFCP increased the caecum lactobacilli and bifidobacteria counts, then increased the propionic AP 18 concentration in the caecum digesta, and decreased the liver, plasma, and meat cholesterol contents of broiler chickens. On d 21, total cholesterol content in the serum (r=−0.965, P<0.05), liver (r=−0.996, P<0.01), and thigh muscle (r=−0.964, P<0.05) had negative correlation with propionic acid concentration in the caecum of broilers. On d 42, total cholesterol in the serum (r=−0.985, P<0.05) and the thigh muscle (r=−0.998, P<0.01) had negative correlation with caecum lactobacilli count, and cholesterol content in the breast muscle (r=−0.969, P<0.05) had a negative correlation with caecum bifidobacteria count, and total cholesterol in the serum (r=−0.967, P<0.05), liver (r=−0.958, P<0.05), and breast muscle (r=−0.995, P<0.01) had negative correlation with propionic acid concentration in the caecum of broilers, which might confirm the aforementioned speculation.
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