scholarly journals Strategies to Combat Heat Stress in Broiler Chickens: Unveiling the Roles of Selenium, Vitamin E and Vitamin C

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Majid Shakeri ◽  
Ehsan Oskoueian ◽  
Hieu Huu Le ◽  
Mehdi Shakeri

Heat stress compromises efficient poultry production by impairing growth performance and increasing mortality. Mechanisms to dissipate excess heat divert energy from efficient production. This includes increased energy expenditure for respiration, oxidative stress and micronutrient absorption. The fortification of diets with particular feed additives has been known as one of the most important approaches to minimize the negative impacts of heat stress on broiler production. In this context, the promising functional feed additives appeared to be selenium and vitamins E and C. The fortification of broiler diets with these feed additives has been proven to enhance the function of vital organs, immune system response and growth performance of broilers under heat stress. The current review highlights recent successful experiences in the alleviation of heat stress symptoms in broilers using the above-mentioned additives. Selenium and vitamins E and C enhanced production performance in broiler chickens challenged with acute heat stress. The combination of these additives, by employing multiple mechanisms and through synergistic effects, improves heat stress symptoms more efficiently than their individual forms. Emerging literature reveals that selenium and vitamins E and C are involved in close interactions to protect proteins and lipids from oxidative damage and boost immune system function.

2020 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 196-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Benzertiha ◽  
B. Kierończyk ◽  
P. Kołodziejski ◽  
E. Pruszyńska–Oszmałek ◽  
M. Rawski ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehrad Mirsaiidi Farahani ◽  
Seyedeh Alemeh Hosseinian

AbstractHeat stress is known as one of the most prevalent environmental stressors in poultry production, which is associated with oxidative stress. Stinging nettle is a medicinal herb with strong antioxidant properties. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary stinging nettle at two different levels (2% and 4%) on growth performance and oxidative stress indices of broilers exposed to chronic heat stress. On day 14, a total of 240 broiler chickens were randomly assigned to 6 treatment groups as follows: 1) NC: negative control; 2) HS: heat-stressed broiler; 3) HS-SN2: heat-stressed broiler fed by 2% dietary stinging nettle; 4) HS-SN4: heat-stressed broilers fed by 4% stinging nettle; 5) SN2: no heat-stressed broilers fed by 2% dietary stinging nettle; 6) SN4: no heat-stressed broilers fed by 4% dietary stinging nettle. Diet supplementation with stinging nettle was performed from days 14 to 35 and a chronic heat stress was induced from days 22 to 29. The growth performance and oxidative indices were evaluated on days 14, 21, 29, and 35. Rectal temperature and panting frequency were assessed on days 22, 25, and 29. As a result, weight gain and food intake decreased in the HS compared to the NC, and these parameters increased in the HS-SN2 and HS-SN4 compared to the HS (P<0.05). The HS, HS-SN2, and HS-SN4 groups had a significantly higher rectal temperature and panting frequency. The HS had the higher circulating MDA and HSP70, and lower T-AOC, SOD, and GSH-Px compared to the treatments. The HS-SN4 had a significantly lower MDA and HSP70, and higher T-AOC, GSH-Px, and SOD compared to the HS and HS-SN2. In conclusion, the addition of 4% stinging nettle powder to the broilers’ diet improved the oxidative status in heat-stressed birds. Furthermore, this herb could be utilized as a feed additive in poultry diet to improve bird’s health and defense mechanisms under stressful conditions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maarten S. Hollemans ◽  
Ger de Vries Reilingh ◽  
Sonja de Vries ◽  
Henk K. Parmentier ◽  
Aart Lammers

Greater antigenic exposure might accelerate activation and maturation of the humoral immune system. After hatch, commercial broiler chickens can have early (EN) or delayed (DN) access to nutrition, up to 72 h after hatch. The immune system of EN versus DN broilers is likely more exposed to antigens after hatch. This might contribute to activation and maturation of the immune system, but might also influence the development of oral tolerance, thereby altering later life antibody responses. We studied antibody (IgM, IgY, IgA) responses between 21 and 42 d of age in fast-growing EN and DN broilers, kept under low (LSC) or high sanitary conditions (HSC). In a first experiment (n = 51 broilers), we tested whether early oral exposure to bovine serum albumin (BSA) affected later life antibody responses towards BSA and a novel antigen—rabbit γ-globulin (RGG), under HSC. In a second experiment, a total of 480 EN and DN broilers were housed under either LSC or HSC, and we studied antibody responses against both BSA and RGG (n = 48 broilers per treatment) and growth performance. Broilers kept under LSC versus HSC, had higher antibody levels and their growth performance was severely depressed. Interactions between feeding strategy (EN versus DN) and sanitary conditions, or main effects of feeding strategy, on natural and specific antibody levels, and growth performance were not observed. Levels of IgA were elevated in EN versus DN broilers, in experiment I and in batch 2 of experiment II, but not in the other batches of experiment II. We concluded that EN versus DN contributes minimally to the regulation of antibody responses, irrespective of antigenic pressure in the rearing environment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 4-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. A. Miftakhutdinova ◽  
S. L. Tikhonov ◽  
N. V. Tikhonova ◽  
R. T. Timakova

The paper presents the study on an impact of feed additives Peak anti-stress and SPAO (SPAO-complex) with different lithium content on meat productivity and meat quality of broiler chickens. The feed additives exert a pronounced metabolic effect, have adaptogen properties and allow forming a mechanism that facilitates compensation of the expenditure of the body, which significantly increases upon stress development. It was established that the average daily gain of the broiler chickens increased by 1.8% and 4.3% on the background of using SPAO-complex and Peak anti-stress, respectively, compared to the broiler chickens that did not receive the feed additives in the daily diet. It was shown that addition of feed additives with lithium into a diet led to an improvement of the indices of broiler meat productivity and meat quality: a level of yield of the carcasses of the 1st category increased up to 56.2–79.1%, high organoleptic indices of meat were ensured, the protein content in white and red chicken meat increased and functional-technological properties of minced meat improved. The use of feed additives ensured profitability of industrial poultry production; the highest indices of profitability were established upon introduction of the feed additive Peak anti-stress into a diet — up to 8.67 rubles per each ruble of expenses. The obtained results of the study should be taken into consideration in the technological processes when raising broiler chickens.


PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11918
Author(s):  
Mirosław Banaszak ◽  
Jakub Biesek ◽  
Marek Adamski

Background Natural minerals have many beneficial properties in poultry production, taking into account production as well as hygiene, health, safety, and quality of broiler meat. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of aluminosilicates in feed and litter on the growth performance and meat quality in chickens. Aluminosilicates, including halloysite and zeolite, could be a good alternative for synthetics, as a good solution for the environment in line with the current trends. Methods Five-hundred male Ross 308 chickens were managed in 5 groups (10 replicates/group): LITTER: 1, control; 2, 0.95 kg/m2 of halloysite; 3, 0.475 kg/m2 of halloysite and 0.475 zeolite; 4, 0.95 kg/m2 of zeolite; 5, 0.25 kg/m2of halloysite and 0.7 kg/m2 of zeolite. FEED: groups 2–5, halloysite and zeolite addition (25:75 ratio; 0.5–2%). Growth performance (body weight and feed indicators), carcass, and meat quality (pH, colour, water-holding capacity, chemical composition of muscles) were recorded. The experimental setup, where the aluminosilicate additives were applied simultaneously, was proposed and approved by experts after pilot testing and on the basis of extensive literature where feed or litter additives were tested. Results Body weight and its gain were higher in groups 3 and 4 than in 1, and feed intake was higher in 4. The weight of the carcass and some of its components, including muscles and skin with subcutaneous fat, were higher in 2–4. Water loss from leg muscles was lower in 4. The content of protein in muscles was significantly higher in 3. The addition of aluminosilicates in feed and litter had a positive effect on the growth performance and some traits of carcasses and meat quality, especially in group 3. Halloysite and zeolite can be used in feed and litter (especially 0.475 kg/m2 for each mineral in the wheat litter).


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