Comparison of the effects of using Sumac powder (Rhus coriria. L) and vitamin E on body and internal organs weight, biochemical parameters and meat quality in broiler chickens after the stress induction by dexamethasone

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of adding Sumac powder and vitamin E to diet on body and internal organs weights, biochemical and meat quality parameters in broiler chickens after the stress induction by dexamethasone (DEX). Ninety-six male broiler chickens were divided to six groups and received a basal diet for 35 days. After 10 days of age, basal diets of 4 groups was supplemented with Sumac powder (0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 %) and vitamin E (20 mg/Kg). At the same time, two groups were assigned as negative (without DEX) and positive (with DEX) controls. At 28 days of age, all broilers except negative control received DEX (2mg/kg BW). At end of the experiment, chickens were weighed, slaughtered and their blood samples were collected. Dexamethasone reduced (P<0.05) final body weight, relative weights of carcass, Breast, Spleen and Bursa (1432.80, 59.40, 21.86, 0.07, 0.035, respectively), compared to negative control (1783.67g, 60.32, 22.98, 0.121, 0.051, respectively) and increased (P<0.05) relative weights of Liver, Heart, Proventriculus and Gizzard, shear force, total protein and cholesterol (3.08, 0.49, 0.45, 1.95, 0.836N, 5.45 and 255.45 mg/dl), comparing to negative control (2.55, 0.42, 0.36, 1.58, 0.375, 4.45 and 179.32 mg/dl). Meat shear force in 0.5% and 0.75% of Sumac powder groups (0.452 and 0.428N respectively) decreased (P<0.05) relative to positive control (0.836N). In conclusion, adding vitamin E and Sumac powder to diet did not prevent the weight loss induced by DEX and blood parameters were not affected. However, 0.5% and 0.75% of Sumac powder reduced shear force.

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