Impact of Dietary Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris) on Broiler Chickens Concerning Immunity, Antioxidant Status, and Performance

Abstract

Key words:Broilers, Immunity, Antioxidant, Performance, ThymeThe current study aimed to determine the immune and antioxidant status, and performance of broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with thyme (Thymus vulgaris) leaves powder, as an alternative growth promoter. Therefore, a total of 120 one-day-old Cobb chicks were fed for 35 days with four experimental diets containing thyme powder (0, 5, 10 and 15 g/kg: these were designated groups Control, Thyme I, Thyme II and Thyme III, respectively). The GC-MS analysis of n-hexane extract of thyme showed the presence of isocaryophyllene (33.73%) as a major active ingredient with other antioxidant ingredients. Serum total protein and globulin content was significantly increased in thyme-supplemented chicks at the 3 rd week and significantly increased in Thyme I and III at the 5 th week. Serum albumin and creatinine content and ALT activities were non-significantly increased in the thyme-supplemented chicks at the 3 rd and 5 th weeks. Moreover, serum total cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels were significantly decreased in the thyme groups at the 3 rd and 5 th weeks. Dietary thyme supplementation for broiler was significantly improved serum IgG, IgM, INF-γ, and IL-10 levels, and muscle glutathione content, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione S-transferase with significantly reduced malondialdehyde levels. Regarding to growth performance, thyme 0.5% was non-significantly improved the final body weight, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and protein efficiency ratio of broiler chicks. So, these data indicated that incorporation of thyme into the broiler's diet was improved the immune status and antioxidant activities in broilers. Also, production of broilers meat with low levels of lipid peroxidation products. Corresponden ce to: * doaavet792016

Effect of Dietary Incorporation of <i>Curcuma longa</i> Powder on Haematology and Serological Properties of Guinea Pigs (<i>Cavia porcellus</i>)

“…The significant increase in serum proteins (albumin, globulin and total proteins) with animals fed on diet containing 0.25% C. longa powder observed during this study could be due to the presence of curcumin, which act by decreasing hepatic lesions and increasing nutrient absorption [21]. The results of this study corroborate with those of Ankit et al [22] who reported that, supplementation of feed with garlic powders by 0.25% and 0.5% increased total protein level in broilers, and to those of Abdel-Ghaney et al [23] who also reported that, supplementation of feed with thyme powders significantly increased total protein, globulin and albumin levels in broilers on the other hand.…”

Importance of Redox Equilibrium in the Pathogenesis of Psoriasis—Impact of Antioxidant-Rich Diet

“…The addition of thyme oil to the diet of Japanese quails resulted in an increase of antioxidant parameters (SOD, CAT, GSH) and reduction of MDA in the blood serum and livers, compared to birds receiving standard diet [ 112 ]. Similar results were obtained in other animals with the use of various forms of thyme: rats [ 113 ], broilers [ 114 ], and fish [ 115 ]. The strong antioxidative properties of thyme are due to its content of phenolic compounds, particularly carvacrol and thymol, as well as monoterpenes (e.g., p-cymene, α-pinene, β-pinene, α-terpinene, limonene, myrcene, terpene alcohols) [ 113 , 116 , 117 ].…”

Immune Response, Health Status, Blood Components and Growth Performance of Suckling Calves Treated with Thymus vulgaris Extract

“…Concerning the effect of THY on liver function, calves receiving THY extract in G3 showed the highest concentrations of total proteins, and the lowest AST and ALT activities, but albumin and globulin concentration, and even albumin to globulin ratio were not affected at weaning as compared to G1 and G2. These results are in agreement with increasing total proteins in rabbits treated with 3% THY (Kovács et al, 2015) and in birds (Abd El-Ghaney et al, 2017). Also, a medical plant mixture containing thyme had no significant effect on blood albumin concentration in calves (Seifzadeh et al, 2016b).…”

“…On the other hand, THY treatment improved kidney function of calves in G3, in terms of marked reduction in serum creatinine and increased urea concentration as compared to G1 and G2. Unfortunately, the available references on the effect of THY on blood creatinine level are scar although Abd El-Ghaney et al (2017) found that serum creatinine content was not affected by THY in chicks at the 3 rd and 5 th weeks. The increase in urea concentration in G3 agreed with the results of Kovács et al (2015), who found that 3% THY powder significantly increased urea concentration in growing rabbits.…”