Effects of Different Levels of Thymus vulgaris Extract in Comparison with Antibiotics, Vitamin C and Vitamin E on Performance, Blood Biochemistry and Antibody Response in Broiler Chickens Under Heat Stress Condition
2020
Rostami, Leili | Taherpour, Kamran | Akbari Gharaei, Mohammad | Ghasemi, Hossein Ali | Jamali, Jabbar
BACKGROUND: Thyme extract has the antimicrobial and antioxidant components that can be useful for the broilers under heat stress condition. OBJECTIVES: This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of Thymus vulgaris extract in comparison with some common feed additives on performance, blood biochemical parameters and antibody response in broiler chickens under heat stress conditions. METHODS: This study was conducted using 192 one-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) in a completely randomized design with 8 treatments in 4 replicates and 6 chicks per replicate. Treatments were as follows: 1) basal diet + standard temperature conditions (positive control); 2) basal diet + heat stress conditions (negative control); 3) negative control + 200 mg virginiamycin; 4) negative control + 150 mg Protoxin probiotic, 5) negative control + 250 mg vitamin C, 6) negative control + 250 mg vitamin E, 7) negative control + 250 mg thyme extract, and 8) negative control +500 mg thyme extract per kg diet. RESULTS: Dietary thyme extract at the rate of 500 mg/kg as well as probiotic and vitamin E increased (P<0.05) body weight gain (2202, 2183 and 2199, respectively) and improved feed conversion (1.65, 1.74 and 1.66, respectively) compared with negative control group (body weight gain 1960 g and feed conversion ratio 1.96). Moreover, 500 mg/kg dietary thyme extract, probiotic and vitamin C reduced triglycerides, total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein during heat stress conditions (P<0.05). All dietary supplements groups significantly increased antibody titers against red blood cells as compared with negative control. CONCLUSIONS: In general, the results of the present study suggest that thyme extract at the level of 500 mg/kg of diet can be recommended as an alternative to the common feed additives to improve growth performance and health benefits of the heat-stressed broilers.
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