Vitamin C supplementation ameliorates summer stress and improves antioxidative status of commercial layer reared in Mizoram

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of vitamin C supplementation on stress and antioxidative status of sixty 26 weeks old commercial layer birds during summer in Mizoram. Two groups of birds were reared for a period of 2 months, viz. control group and VC. Control group was on basal diet @120 g/bird/day while VC was supplemented with vitamin C @ 250 mg/kg basal diet. THI was calculated from the records of AT and RH during the period. Blood samples were collected from wing vein of each bird on 0, 30th and 60th day of treatment for estimation of HSP70, H:L, SOD, GPx, CAT, TBARS, FRAP, blood glucose, total plasma protein, total protein of hemolysate and total cholesterol. The THI recorded during the period of study was not indicative of heat stress while Tmax of 30ºC and RHmax of 95% were above the optimal ranges for poultry. Presence of heat stress and decrease in antioxidative status of control group was detected by increase in HSP70, SOD, GPx, CAT, TBARS and total cholesterol and decrease in FRAP, total plasma protein and total protein of hemolysate. Upon vitamin C supplementation, HSP70, GPx and TBARS became stable, SOD and CAT activity and total cholesterol decreased and FRAP, total plasma protein, and total protein of hemolysate increased. The estimates of heat stress and antioxidative markers indicated presence of stress in commercial layers in summer and vitamin C supplementation was found to ameliorate the stress and improve the antioxidative status.