Vitamins C and E affect plasma metabolites and production performance of layer chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) under condition of high ambient temperature and humidity
Abstract. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of vitamins C and E on some plasma metabolites and production performance of layer chickens reared under hot tropical climate. 720 White Leghorn (L33) layer chickens and 39 weeks old were divided into four groups of 180 birds. One group was fed with basal diet (control) and treatment groups were fed with basal diet supplemented with 150 mg of vitamin C/kg of diet, 150 mg of vitamin E/kg of diet, while the last group was supplemented with 150 mg of vitamin C/kg of diet plus 150 mg of vitamin E/kg of diet. Separately or as a combination, supplemental vitamin C and E decreased plasma concentrations of cholesterol, glucose and creatine phosphokinase (P<0.001) compared to control. There were no significant (P>0.05) effects of supplemental vitamin C and E on plasma metabolites of alanine phosphatase and aspartate transaminase. The single supplementation of vitamin E and its combination with vitamin C considerably increased the plasma metabolite of protein (P<0.01). Egg/bird were significantly (P<0.05) higher in all treatment groups compared to control, but P value was highest in vitamin E treated group. The laying index showed a significant (P<0.05) increase in all treatment groups compared to control. Similarly, feed consumption and conversion were significantly (P<0.05) different in treatment groups compared to control.
It is concluded that supplementation of vitamins C and E maintained the stability of some plasma metabolites concentration, thereby, sustained production performance and facilitated adaptation of chicken to stressful hot-humid condition.
