M. Alempour; Sh. Rahimi; M.A. Karimi Torshizi
Abstract
In recent years, we have paid special attention to the development and production of broiler chickens. In this regard, the use of medicinal plants has been considered as growth promoters. Hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties of medicinal plants and their extracts have been proved. The purpose of ...
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In recent years, we have paid special attention to the development and production of broiler chickens. In this regard, the use of medicinal plants has been considered as growth promoters. Hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties of medicinal plants and their extracts have been proved. The purpose of this study was to compare hypolipidemic effects of five herbal extracts and virginiamycin as growth promoters in the poultry industry. Seven hundred and twenty 1-d-old male broiler chicks were randomly divided into 9 treatments and 4 replicates (20 birds per replicate). Treatments respectively included extracts of thyme (Thymus vulgaris), garlic (Allium sativum), common thyme (Thymus kotschyanus), common sage (Salvia officinalis), peppermint (Mentha piperita), blend of thyme and peppermint and blend of common thyme and common sage with a dosage of 1%, virginiamycin with dosage of 15 ppm and control. Total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), HDL cholesterol, and heterophil/lymphocyte ratio were measured after 42 days. Among the extracts, garlic (Allivum sativum) hsignificantly reduced the levels of TC, LDL, and TG and significantly increased the level of HDL. Heterophil to lymphocyte ratio was not affected by treatments and the highest and lowest ratios were respectively observed in treatments of peppermint and garlic. Herbal extracts could improve blood factors compared with the antibiotic and control groups.
Z. Teymouri Zadeh; Sh. Rahimi; M.A. Karimi Torshizi; R. Omidbaigi
Abstract
This experiment was designed to investigate the comparison of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), coneflower (Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench.), garlic (Allium sativum L.) extracts and virginiamycin antibiotic as growth promoter in poultry industry on performance and carcass characteristics of Broilers. A total ...
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This experiment was designed to investigate the comparison of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), coneflower (Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench.), garlic (Allium sativum L.) extracts and virginiamycin antibiotic as growth promoter in poultry industry on performance and carcass characteristics of Broilers. A total four hundred and eighty 1-day old male broiler (Ross strain) chicks were assigned to the basal diet (control) and basal diet supplemented with 0.15% virginiamycin, 0.1% extracts of thyme (Thymus vulgaris), coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), garlic (Allium sativum) and mixture of extracts with the same dose. At the end of the experiment two chickens from each replication were randomly selected and killed to investigate the weigh of digestive organs and fat pad. There was significant difference in feed conversion ratio (FCR) between the treatments (p0.05). Lowest and highest FCR was related to virginiamycin and coneflower (pThymus vulgaris) (p>0.05). There was no difference in carcass characteristics and fat pad except small intestinal weight. Virginiamycin had the lowest small intestinal weight but the control had the highest (p
Z. Teymouri Zadeh; Sh. Rahimi; M.A. Karimi Torshizi; R. Omidbaigi
Volume 25, Issue 1 , May 2009, , Pages 39-48
Abstract
The present study was designed to evaluate comparison of the effects on the intestinal microflora population and immune system of broilers of three commercial herbal extracts and virginiamycin antibiotic. A total four hundred and eighty 1-day old male broiler chicks were assigned to the basal diet (control) ...
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The present study was designed to evaluate comparison of the effects on the intestinal microflora population and immune system of broilers of three commercial herbal extracts and virginiamycin antibiotic. A total four hundred and eighty 1-day old male broiler chicks were assigned to the basal diet (control) and basal diet supplemented with 150 ppm virginiamycin, 0.1% extract of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), coneflower (Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench.), garlic (Allium sativum L.) and blend of extracts with the same dose. The colony forming units of Escherichia coli in digesta of ileo-cecum in the blend group showed a significantly lower number compared with control group. However, there was no difference in E. coli countsbetween blend group and others except control. The lactic acid bacteria counts in the thyme group increased compared with other groups except coneflower (p<0.05). Relative weights of immune organs (spleen and bursa of Fabricious) as two immune indexes were compared among different groups. Relative weight of bursa of Fabricious in the Garlic group showed a significantly increase compared with other groups, but relative weight of spleen was unaffected by treatments. Cutaneous basophils hypersensitivity response (to phytohemagglutinin injection) and antibody responses to sheep red blood cells were higher in coneflower group (p<0.05). Antibody responses to Newcastle vaccine (Lasota) was unaffected by treatments but coneflower group improved antibody levels (p>0.05).
