Effects of natural antioxidant on the immune response, antioxidant enzymes and hematological broilers chickens

    This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of dietary α-tocopherol (α-Toc), pomegranate peel extract (PPE) and pomegranate peel (PP) on humoral and cellular immune response, antioxidant enzymes and hematological in broiler chickens. Three hundred and eighty four 1-d-old male broiler chickens (Ross 308) were randomly allocated to 8 groups (4 replicate pens of 12 birds per each), and fed for 42 days. Eight dietary treatments were including; control diet without supplement, control diet mixed with 200 mg/kg α-Toc, and 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg PPE, and 1, 2 and 3 g/kg PP. For evaluation of changes in the immune system, variations of antibody titer by injection of sheep red blood cells were measured at 26 and 32 days ages. At of 28 days of ages, two birds per each experimental group were challenged by phytohemagglutinin and the response was determined to evaluate the cellular immune system. At 41 days of ages, 2 birds per each replicate were bled for assessing cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL blood serum and liver enzymes AST. The oxidation was evaluated by measuring of malondialdehyde MDA and antioxidant enzymes. The results showed that the humoral immune response in chickens fed diets containing α-tocopherol acetate and pomegranate extract peel was improved (p<0.05). However, cellular immune response did not effect by phytohemagglutinin challenge (p>0.05). Antioxidant enzymes Activity, triglycerides, and MDA were influenced by supplementation of diets with α-tocopherol acetate and extract pomegranate peel (p>0.05). Whereas, other hematologic parameters and liver enzymes were not affected. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 200 and 300 mg/kg pomegranate peel extract PPE may improve immune system response, reducing oxidation and triglyceride levels of broiler chickens.