AMELIORATION OF OXIDATIVE STRESS IN BROILERS DURING SUMMER

A comparative study on antistressor and antioxidative effects of synthetic vitamin C and polyherbal feed premix Ayucee supplementation in broilers was conducted during the summer months of June-July when the mean temperature-humidity index was 84.74±2.51. Day old broiler chicks (n =60) were randomly divided into three groups. Control group I was given basal diet and treatment groups (II&III) were supplemented with Synthetic vitamin C (100g/tonne of feed) and Ayucee (100g/tonne of feed) from day 0 to six weeks of age. Biochemical parameters were analysed after 3rd & 5th week & erythrocytic antioxidant enzymes were analysed after 3rd & 6th week of experiement. Hormonal & immunological parameters were analysed after 6th of experiemental study. After 3rd week, mean plasma glucose, cholesterol & antioxidant enzyme glutathione reductase (GSSG) were significantly (P< 0.01) lower in treated groups (II & III) than control (I); however total protein, albumin to globulin ratio & antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly (P< 0.05) different in group II & III compared to group I. After 5th week, mean plasma glucose, total protein, albumin globulin ratio were significantly (P< 0.05) different in both the treatments compared to control. Erythrocytic GSSG were significantly (P< 0.05) different in both the treatments than control, as observed after 6th week. Stress hormones namely cortisol & thyroxine (T4) were observed to be significantly (P>0.05) higher in untreated control than the treated groups. However, the two treatments did not differ significantly. Mean total immunoglobulin (Ig) level was significantly (P<0.01) higher in AYUCEE & vit-C treated birds than control after 6th week of study. It can be concluded from the results that oxidative stress in broilers during summer could be ameliorated using antioxidant synthetic vitamin C & the polyherbal antistressor, immunomodulator & adaptogenic feed premix AYUCEE.