The effect of propolis on biochemical parameters and antioxidant status of the blood of broiler chickens

Abstract

The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of propolis inclusion to the diet on some serum biochemical parameters, enzymatic activities, and antioxidant status of chickens. Five hundred broiler chickens were used in this study, and these animals were divided into five groups. The first group without any addition served as a control. Experimental groups received propolis extract in feed mixture in various doses (E1: 150 mg/kg; E2: 450 mg/kg; E3: 600 mg/kg; and E4: 800 mg/kg). After 42 days, blood samples were collected. Serum glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, total protein, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase, glutamate dehydrogenase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase activities, content of albumins, bilirubin, iron, and copper were determined. Significant increase in serum glucose in all experimental groups (13.40 ± 0.88 in E1, 14.38 ± 0.79 in E2, 13.60 ± 0.31 in E3, and 13.55 ± 0.32 mmol/l in E4 group) when compared to the control (11.93 ± 1.21 mmol/l) and GPx activity in group E1 (614.11 ± 58.63 U/l) versus 540.62 ± 58.18 in the control, 550.99 ± 55.25 in E3, and 519.14 ± 60.21 in E4 were measured. The result suggests that the effective dose of propolis was 150 mg/kg in the diet for chicken, and further increase in dose had no effect on antioxidant parameters.