EFFECT OF PROPOLIS AND ZINC METHIONINE SUPPLEMENTATION ON IMPROVEMENT OF PRODUCTIVE, REPRODUCTIVE AND IMMUNITY PERFORMANCE OF LOCAL DEVELOPED INSASH STRAIN UNDER EGYPTIAN SUMMER CONDITIONS.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of propolis and zinc methionine (Zn– Met) supplementation on improvement of productive, reproductive and immunity performance of local developed Insash strain under Egyptian summer conditions. A total number of 180 laying hens and 36 cocks of Inshas chicken at 24 weeks of age was used and divided into equal 6 experimental groups (30 hens + 6 cocks), each of three replicates (10 hens +2 cock in each replicate). The obtained results revealed a significant (P<0.05) improvement in egg production percentage, egg mass and feed conversion ratio in the groups fed propolis at the level of 100 or 300 mg plus 80 mg Zn–Met or at 300 mg propolis only /kg diet as compared with the control group. Percentage of fertile eggs, serum ALT, dead spermatozoa, sperm abnormalities, were significantly improved at the level of 100 or 300 mg propolis either alone or plus 80 mg Zn–Met /kg diet. While, percentage of hatchability, sperm motility, sperm cell concentration, were significantly increased in the group received 300 mg propolis only or plus 80 mg Zn–Met /kg diet. Serum total protein, globulin and cholesterol, acrosomal damage, immune response after injection of phytohemoaglutinine (PHA–P), serum IgG and IgM esteems were significantly (P<0.05) enhanced in all supplemented groups compared with the contrasted control. Digestibility coefficients of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and organic matter (OM) were significantly (P<0.05) improved at the level of 100 or 300 mg propolis plus 80 mg Zn–Met /kg diet or at 300 mg propolis /kg diet alone, while AST and ether extract (EE) were significantly (P<0.05) improved at the level of 300 mg propolis /kg diet.Therefore, it could be concluded that, supplementation of 300 mg propolis either single or plus 80 Zn-Met /kg diet is recommended for improving most of productive and reproductive, traits including egg production, semen quality, fertility, hatchability and serum biochemical traits as wellas immune response.