Abstract
Simple SummaryOne of the common approaches to alleviating heat-stress in poultry is nutritional manipulation using herbal extracts or their derivatives to maintain the health, welfare, and performance of birds. The present study investigated the protective effect of boldo leaf extract against the harmful effects of cyclic heat stress in two broiler strains (Arbor Acres; AA and Avian-48; AV). Administration of boldo in drinking water was able to restore growth and health traits to nearly normal values. Generally, AA chicks were better able to withstand heat stress and were also more likely to utilize boldo extract than AV chicks. The use of boldo leaf extract in poultry production can assist in mitigating the effect of heat stress, improving the antioxidant defense system, and increasing productivity and profitability.There is increasing interest in the use of natural antioxidant supplements in poultry diets as protection against the adverse effects of heat stress. The potential protective effect of boldo (Peumus boldus molina) leaf extract, which have antioxidant activity, were investigated against the harmful effects of heat stress in two broiler strains. Arbor Acres (AA) and Avian-48 (AV) chicks were divided into thermoneutral (TN) and heat stress (HS) groups and treated with 1 g boldo leaf extract/4 L drinking water during the heat stress period. HS reduced growth performance in both strains. The phagocytic index, phagocytic activity, and eosinophil and lymphocytes counts were significantly elevated in TN and HS AV birds but not altered in AA birds. Boldo extract treatment partially eliminated the previous negative impacts of heat stress. AA chicks were better able to withstand HS than AV chicks. Serum concentrations of total lipids and cholesterol were reduced in HS birds of both strains. Malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase levels were elevated but restored with the administration of boldo leaf extract in HS birds of both strains. Economic parameters were negatively affected by HS but restored to values close to those of the control group in boldo-treated HS birds. In conclusion, the administration of boldo leaf extract in drinking water was effective in neutralizing the harmful effects of heat stress on growth performance, blood indices, and economic parameters and improved the antioxidant defense system in heat-stressed birds.
Highlights
Global warming and climate change adversely affect livestock and poultry production sectors under tropical and subtropical conditions
Body weight gain (BWG) of Arbor Acres (AA) and AV broiler chicks were observed in response to heat stress (HS) or the treatment with boldo
AA birds were superior in their growth in comparison to AV birds
Summary
Global warming and climate change adversely affect livestock and poultry production sectors under tropical and subtropical conditions. High ambient temperature leads to elevated body temperature and, results in serious tissue damage induced by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) [3]. The heat stress resistance of broiler chickens is low owing to breeding programs constantly selecting for higher growth performance; some broiler strains exhibit higher performance and/or higher resistance to climatic changes than others [6,7,8,9]. It is essential to implement mitigation strategies that can promote the physiological antioxidant system of these broiler strains to neutralize the excess amounts of generated ROS. It has been established that the inclusion of herbs and their extracts in poultry diets is generally effective in maintaining their health, welfare, and performance as well as the oxidative stability of their eggs and meat products [16,19,20,21,22]
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