Effects of low ambient temperatures and dietary vitamin C supplement on growth performance, blood parameters, and antioxidant capacity of 21-day-old broilers

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the effects of low ambient temperature (LAT) and a vitamin C (VC) dietary supplement on the growth performance, blood parameters, and antioxidant capacity of 21-d-old broilers. A total of 400 one-day-old male Cobb broilers were assigned to 1 of 4 treatments as follows: 1) LAT and a basal diet; 2) LAT and a basal diet supplemented with 1,000 mg of VC/kg (LAT + VC); 3) normal ambient temperature (NAT) and a basal diet; 4) NAT and a basal diet supplemented with 1,000 mg of VC/kg (NAT + VC). All birds were fed to 21 d of age. Broilers in groups 1 and 2 were raised at 24 to 26°C during 1 to 7 d, and at 9 to 11°C during 8 to 21 d, whereas groups 3 and 4 were raised at 29 to 31°C during 1 to 7 d and at 24 to 26°C during 8 to 21 d. The LAT increased the feed conversion ratio during the whole experimental period (P < 0.01), whereas it increased heart index at 21 d (P < 0.05) and hematocrit and hemoglobin level at 14 d (P < 0.05). Supplementing the diet with VC increased hematocrit, hemoglobin, and red blood cell count at 21 d (P < 0.05). At 21 d, LAT conditions decreased total antioxidant capacity in the serum, liver, and lungs (P < 0.05), and it also increased the levels of VC in the serum and liver, the amount of protein carbonylation in liver and lungs, and the malondialdehyde level in the lungs (P < 0.05). The addition of VC tended to increase the total antioxidant capacity level in serum (P < 0.1). Low ambient temperature resulted in oxidative stress for broilers that were fed from 1 to 21 d of age, whereas no significant effect was found on the antioxidant activity by dietary VC supplementation.

GROWTH PERFORMANCE, HORMONAL DYNAMICS AND INTESTINAL MICROARCHITECTURE IN BROILERS FED Β-Galacto-Oligosaccharides DURING CYCLIC COLD STRESS

“…Results of the present study revealed that the cold-exposed birds consumed more feed but were unable to gain weight and were, therefore, presented with poor FE. Regarding the effects of CS on growth performance our findings reiterated the findings of previous reports in broilers (Ipek and Sahan, 2006;Blahova et al, 2007;Yang et al, 2014). Greater FC of the cold-exposed broilers may be a result of increased metabolic rate resulting from hyper activation of HPT axis.…”

“…Nevertheless, with an increase in performance, sensitivity of the bird also increased tremendously particularly towards the heat and cold (Burkholder et al, 2008). Although most of the poultry is raised in environmentally-controlled sheds however, maintaining the thermal comfort zone (TCZ) for optimum growth is quite costly (Yang et al, 2014). During the growth phase, TCZ of broilers has a narrow range of 18-22°C.…”

The effect of cold stress on the pathogenesis of necrotic enteritis in broiler chicks

“…Cold stress is a physical environmental stressor which affects performance, health and welfare of broiler chicks and thus has a significant impact on the poultry industry (Sato et al, 2002;Hangalapura, 2006;Huff et al, 2007;Yang et al, 2014). This study demonstrates that cold stress predisposes broiler chicks to necrotic enteritis.…”

“…The effect of cold stress on the performance, hypertension syndrome, welfare and immune system in broiler chicks has been well documented (Sato et al, 2002;Hangalapura et al, 2003Hangalapura et al, , 2004Hangalapura, 2006;Özkan et al, 2007;Yang et al, 2014). However, the influence of cold stress in relation to necrotic enteritis in a well-established, experimental infection model has not been studied before.…”

Effects of dietary guanidinoacetic acid and betaine supplementation on performance, blood biochemical parameters and antioxidant status of broilers subjected to cold stress

“…Low ambient temperature caused a significant increase in the RBC count, HB level (MCH and MCHC) (Olanrewaju et al 2010;Yang et al 2014), that is a reflection of physiological oxygentransport capacity. A high value for haematocrit in broilers with a high metabolic rate and under cold stress is an adaptive advantage because the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity is enhanced (Ipek & Sahan 2006).…”