Supplementation of broiler drinking water with zinc sulfate and its impact on physiological performance

Abstract

This study was conducted with three hundred one-day-aged broiler chicks (Ross 308) to determine the impact of adding two different doses of zinc sulfate to drinking water on the physiological traits of broilers. At first, 300 broiler chicks were randomly distributed into three groups. They were reared in floor cages until they were 42 days old, as follows: The 1st group (control group) was given drinking water without any additives. The 2nd and 3rd groups were given drinking water fortified with 20 and 40 mg of zinc sulfate/L of water, respectively. The results showed that the zinc sulfate significantly improved the hematological traits and the level of high-density lipoproteins, reducing triglycerides. In contrast, total serum protein and albumin levels were significantly increased. Globulin was significantly enhanced when the dose was given at 40 mg/L of water. Also, zinc sulfate improved the antioxidant status, as it significantly raised the level of glutathione. In contrast, the corticosterone hormone level and aspartate aminotransferase activity were significantly decreased. The addition of zinc sulfate did not affect the levels of leptin and insulin-like growth factor. In conclusion, zinc sulfate enhanced most physiological parameters and maintained the other biochemical parameters within normal healthy values.

Keywords

• antioxidants
• corticosterone
• glutathione
• inorganic zinc
• leptin