Effects of Ginseng By-Products Supplementation on Performance, Blood Biochemical Profiles, Organ Development, and Stress Parameter in Broiler under Heat Stress Condition

Abstract

This study was performed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with ginseng by-products on growth, organ development, blood biochemical profiles, immune response, and stress parameter of broilers reared in high ambient temperatures. One hundred one-day-old male chicks (Ross 308) were used. At week two, the birds were randomly allocated into five dietary groups; control (CON), 0.5% ginseng berry (GB1), 1.0% ginseng berry (GB2), 0.5% ginseng leaves and stems (GLS1), and 1.0% ginseng leaves and stems (GLS2). The temperature was maintained at 32±1℃ from 9 AM to 5 PM. Growth, serum immunoglobulins and corticosterone levels were monitored and analyzed. No significant differences among groups were observed in growth. However, during the finisher period (21～35d) and overall period (7～35 d), body weight gain in all supplemented groups tended higher than CON group. Blood biochemical profiles did not significantly differ among treatment groups except in bilirubin level. Serum immunoglobulins and corticosterone level showed no significant differences among groups. IgM and IgG levels were numerically higher in GLS1 than in other groups, but the difference was not significant. Corticosterone level also tended lower in all supplemented groups than in CON group, and larger decreases were observed in groups with higher ginseng by-product concentration. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of ginseng by-products shows potential to reduce heat stress in growing broilers with no negative effect on productivity.