Effects of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Growth Performance, some Hematological Parameters, Plasma Enzymes Activities in Broilers with Pulmonary Hypertensi

This study investigated the effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation on hematological, enzymes activities and biochemical parameters in broilers with pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS). Two hun-dred and forty 1-d-old Ross 308 male broiler chicks were randomly allocated into 3 groups with 4 repli-cates. From d 14, the diets were supplemented with CoQ10 at levels of 0, 20 and 40 mg/kg, respectively, while exposing them to low ambient temperature (10 to 15 ?C) to induce PHS until d 42. Mortality was inspected to determine cause of death and diagnose of PHS. Hematological, biochemical and pathological tests were used to determine the incidence of PHS: total red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), hema-tocrit (HCT), plasma protein and glucose, activity of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Blood samples were taken at d 21 and 42. At the end of the ex-periment (wk 6), 2 chicks from each replicate were randomly selected and slaughtered. The heart was re-moved; the right ventricle was dissected away from the left ventricle and septum and the ratio of right ven-tricle weight to total ventricle weight (RV/TV) was calculated. Average BW gain and average feed intake were measured weekly from d 15 and average feed conversion ratio was calculated and reported weekly. The results showed that 40 mg/kg CoQ10 supplementation improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) (P < 0.05). Moreover, RBC count and plasma protein and glucose level were significantly decreased by 40 mg/kg CoQ10 compared to the other groups, but no significant changes were observed in HGB and HCT. The LDH activity decreased by CoQ10 supplementation (P < 0.05). Measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA) content in plasma, RV / TV and mortality due to PHS decreased by 40 mg/kg CoQ10 supplementation (P < 0.05). In conclusion, CoQ10 exerted preventive roles in PHS, possible through delivering antioxidant effect of cardiac myocytes and erythrocytes.