Rasool H. Khalati(1) (2)*and Khalid C. K. Al-Salhie(1)
(1). Department of Animal Production, College of Agriculture, University of Basrah, Basrah city, Iraq.
(2). Department of Animal Production, College of Agriculture, University of Wasit, Wasit city,
(*Corresponding author: Dr. Rasool Khalati, E-Mail: gl804@uowasit.edu.iq: KCKA: khalid.chillab@uobasrah.edu.iq ).
Received:9/01/2022 Accepted: 17/05/2023
Abstract:
This experiment aimed to investigate the effects of different nano-propolis concentrations on productive performance, serum antioxidant and thyroid hormones of broiler chickens. A total of 144 one-day-old, unsexed broiler chickens with an average body weight of 40 g were used in this study. The birds were divided into 4 treatments, each with 36 birds, and each group include three replicates (12 birds per replicate). The first treatment consumed reverse osmosis (R.O) drinking water without additions (control), whereas the second, third, and fourth treatments consumed reverse osmosis (R.O) drinking water containing 50, 100, and 150 µl of nano-propolis per liter, respectively. Overall body weight, weight gain and feed conversion ratio were significantly (p ≤0.05) increase when nano-propolis add to drinking water of second, third, and fourth groups. Nano-propolis supplementation significantly (p ≤0.05) increased thyroid hormones concentration, including thyroxin (T4), tri-iodothyronin (T3), enzyme activity, including glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). On the other hand, nano-propolis supplementation significantly (p ≤0.05) decreased malondialdehyde concentration (MDA). The results indicated no significant (p > 0.05) difference in the cumulative feed intake, cumulative water intake and catalase enzyme among all groups. It be concluded, the addition of 50,100 and 150 μl of nano-propolis per liter of drinking water were improved productive performance, some serum antioxidant parameters that include GPx, SOD, MDA and thyroid hormones such as T4 and T3. Nano-propolis in current study without effect on the cumulative feed intake, cumulative water intake and catalase enzyme of broiler chickens.
Keywords: Broiler Chickens, Nano-Propolis, Productive Performance, Serum Antioxidant.
Full paper in English: pdf