The effect of hydroalcoholic extract of angelica (Heracleum persicum) fruit on performance, immune responses, small intestine histology, haematological parameters and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of hydroalcoholic extract of Heracleum Persicum fruit (HPE) on performance, immune responses, small intestine morphology, haematological parameters and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. A total of 300 day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were used in a completely randomized design with five treatments and five replicates of 12 chicks each. The treatments were comprised of a corn-soybean meal base diet supplemented with five levels of HPE at 0(control), 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg diet. Average daily feed intake (ADFI) was increased by 100 mg/kg of HPE comparing to control group during 11–24 d (p < 0.05). HPE at the levels of 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg, decreased (p < 0.05) serum cholesterol comparing to control group and showed a linear response to different levels of HPE (p = 0.0007). Also, LDL was decreased by 300 mg/kg of HPE (p < 0.05). The villus height to crypt depth ratio (VH/CD) was increased by 400 mg/kg of HPE, comparing to control group at 42 d (p < 0.05). Also, this ratio showed a linear response to different levels of HPE (p = 0.007). The results of this study indicated that HPE improves performance and intestine morphometrical and haematological parameters of broiler chickens.

Keywords

• Heracleum persicum extract
• immune response
• intestinal histology
• haematological parameters
• performance
• broiler