Influence of Different Levels of Astragalus Root Powder in Broiler Chick Diets on thePhysiological and Biochemical Changes

摘要

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of Astragalus membranaceus root powder (AMRP) supplementation on growth performance, physiological and serum indices, antioxidant and immunity status, immune organ weights, serum mineral profile and carcass characteristics of broiler chicks. One hundred eighty one-week-old Cabb500 broilers were randomly divided into 4 groups with 3 replicates in each group with15 broiler chicks in each replicate. The experiment lasted for 5 weeks after start. The basal diets were supplemented with 0, 100, 200 and 300 mg AMRP /kg feed, respectively. The achieved results indicated that addition of AMRP to broiler diets had no significant effect on body weight and feed conversion but dressing weight and absolute immune organ weights were significantly increased for treated groups as compared to control group. Also, supplementation of AMRP to broiler diets had no significant impact on thermoregulation parameters except that respiration rate of group fed 300mg AMRP/kg diet (T4) which was significantly lower compared to the control group. The obtained results showed that addition of AMRP to broiler diets decreased significantly serum ALT, AST, AP, creatinine enzymes, (liver and kidney functions) and antioxidant and reduced the oxidation enzyme levels. Chicks treated with different levels of AMRP in diet showed significant increases in serum total protein, albumin, A/G ratio and immunoglobulin type G compared to untreated one, these results reflect the beneficial effect of AMRP to improve immunity status. While, values of serum total cholesterol and triglyceride for treated groups were significantly reduced compared to the control group. Treatment of broiler chicks with AMRP enhanced nutrients metabolism by increased the secretion of T3 and T4 hormones more than the control group. Moreover, incorporation of AMRP in broiler diets improved the absorption of serum minerals measured in this study. Finally, addition of AMRP is recommended to broiler diets up to 300mg/kg diet without any adverse effects.