University of Tehran Iranian Journal of Veterinary Medicine 2251-8894 20 2 2026 03 01 Saccharomyces cerevisiae as Natural Growth Promoter in Broilers: Meta-analysis of Performance and Meat Quality 219 232 106046 10.32598/ijvm.20.2.1005799 EN Muhammad Rizwan Yousaf Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal and Agricultural Sciences, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, Indonesia. Bilal Ahmed Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal and Agricultural Sciences, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, Indonesia. Shinta Pandupuspitasari Nuruliarizki Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal and Agricultural Sciences, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, Indonesia. Mohammad Miftakhus Sholikin Research Center for Animal Husbandry, Research Organization for Agriculture and Food, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Bogor, Indonesia. & Meta-Analysis in Plant Science (MAPS) Research Group, Bandung, Indonesia. & Center for Tropical Animal Studies (CENTRAS), The Institute of Research and Community Empowerment of IPB (LPPM IPB), Bogor, Indonesia. & Animal Feed and Nutrition Modelling (AFENUE) Research Group, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia. Asep Setiaji Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal and Agricultural Sciences, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, Indonesia. Faheem Ahmed Khan Research Center for Animal Husbandry, National Research and Innovation Agency, Jakarta Pusat, Indonesia. & Stem Cell and Cancer Research Indonesia, Semarang, Indonesia. 0000-0002-3590-4320 Dela Ayu Lestari Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal and Agricultural Sciences, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, Indonesia. Azhar Ali Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal and Agricultural Sciences, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, Indonesia. Hasliza Abu Hassim Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia. & Department of Veterinary Preclinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia. Muhammad Asif Raza Department of Zoology, Wildlife & Fisheries, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan. Rahmeen Ajaz Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Indonesia (UI), Jakarta, Indonesia. Ikania Agusetyaningsih Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal and Agricultural Sciences, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, Indonesia. 0000-0001-7719-9183 Sugiharto Sugiharto Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal and Agricultural Sciences, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, Indonesia. Journal Article 2025 05 08 The global demand for meat is increasing, and recent bans on antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) have heightened the need for sustainable, effective alternatives in poultry production. Probiotic yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has emerged as a promising natural growth promoter in this context. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effects of S. cerevisiae on growth performance, feed efficiency, and meat quality (both physical and chemical) by synthesizing findings from previously reported studies. This meta-analysis used data from PubMed and Scopus to screen 377 studies and identify 14 relevant trials published from 2000 to 2025. It examined the effects of S. cerevisiaeon broiler chicken growth and meat quality parameters (body weight (BW), feed conversion ratio (FCR), color, pH, dressing rate, cooking/drip loss, shear force, and water holding capacity [WHC]). Randomized controlled trials were analyzed with OpenMEE software to determine standard mean differences and heterogeneity. S. cerevisiae supplementation significantly improved broiler BW (standard mean difference [SMD]=0.446, P<0.001) and FCR (SMD=-0.442, P=0.001). S. cerevisiae also enhanced meat tenderness by reducing shear force (SMD=-4.662, P<0.001). Effects on other meat quality parameters (pH, cooking/drip losses, dressing rate, water-holding capacity (WHC), color) were not statistically significant. These findings suggest S. cerevisiae potential as a natural growth promoter for broiler performance and physical and chemical meat quality. S. cerevisiae supplementation enhances performance and meat quality. While some meat quality parameters were not significantly affected, S. cerevisiae shows promise as a natural alternative to AGPs in broiler production.  https://ijvm.ut.ac.ir/article_106046_21b0688e22954e2e58b52e523e66ecf3.pdf