Influence of some herbs on the activity of digestive enzymes in chickens.

摘要

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of herbal addition to the diets on the total protein content and activity of the digestive enzymes in broiler chickens. The experiments were carried out in 210 Ross broiler chickens (1-42 days of age) randomly divided into 7 groups (one control and six experimental). The experimental chickens were fed on a diet with 2% addition of the following herbs: hops (group I); linden (group II); melissa (group III); pansy (group IV); peppermint (group V); and urtica (group VI). At the 42nd day, 10 chickens (5 cocks and 5 hens) were chosen from each group which had a body weight closest to the average of the particular group. The body weight (g) and relative liver weight (g/100 BW) and abdominal fat content (% of BW) were examined. The percentages of breast, thigh and shank muscles were examined. The proventriculus was isolated, and the mucosa was removed. After homogenization of the mucosa, the total proteolytic activity and total content of proteins were analysed. The highest body weight was determined in group VI. However, the addition of linden caused a 20 and 11% reduction of body weight in cocks and hens, respectively. A considerably lower body weight was also observed in cocks fed with the diet supplemented with hops. The addition of hops caused an increase in liver weight and abdominal fat content. A significant increase in the total protein content of the proventriculus mucosa in groups fed with the diets supplemented with linden, melissa, pansy, peppermint and urtica was observed. The analysis of the proteolytic activity of the mucosa indicated its considerable decrease in chickens of both sexes when the diet was enriched by the addition of linden, melissa, pansy, peppermint and in hens fed with a mixture of hops and urtica..