Blood Biochemical Parameters in Chickens Following Dietary Supplementation with Different Levels of Vitamin C and E

Abstract

A 25 week-long study was conducted to determine the effect of dietary supplementation with vitamins C and E on blood biochemical parameters in chickens. Day-old layer chicks, Black Nerra, were divided into 7 groups depending on the level and type of vitamin supplementation. Vitamin C was supplemented at 120 and 240 mg/kg feed, whereas vitamin E was supplemented at 140 and 280 mg/kg feed, as low and high levels, respectively. According to vitamin levels supplemented to the basal diet, the groups were referred to as low vitamin C (LC); high vitamin C (HC); low vitamin E (LE); high vitamin E (HE); low vitamin C and E (LCE) and high vitamin C and E (HCE). A control group received only the basal diet. Erythrocyte percentage haemolysis, blood haemoglobin, total plasma protein and plasma ascorbic acid were determined to assess biochemical picture. The data shows that vitamin supplementation was effective in reducing percentage erythrocyte haemolysis (P < 0.001).  Chickens in LCE and HCE groups had the highest haemoglobin content while total plasma protein and plasma ascorbic acid content were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in HCE chickens group. A negative correlation (r = -0.4; P < 0.001) was observed between haemoglobin content and red cell membrane fragility.  Plasma ascorbic was also correlated to total plasma protein. It was therefore established that dietary supplementation of vitamin C and E together especially at high dose of 240 and 280 mg/kg feed respectively, is beneficial in that it improves RBC membrane integrity, blood haemoglobin, total plasma protein and plasma ascorbic acid bioavailability in layer chickens