Influence of silymarin and zinc oxide nanoparticles as feed additives on growth, antioxidants, and blood metabolites of broilers

Abstract

Abstract The aim of the present study was design to investigate the effect of silymarin (SM) and nano-zinc (NZ) on growth, antioxidants, and blood metabolites of broiler chicks. 144 broiler chicks (Cobb-400) were utilized in this experiment and randomly assigned into 4 groups, 36 chicks in each, and each group was divided into three replications, 12 birds in each replication. The chicks were fed basal diet supplanted either with SM (800 mg/kg, SM800), NZ (20 mg/kg, NZ20) alone, or both SM (800 mg/kg) + NZ (20 mg/kg) (SM800 + NZ20), or without SM and NZ (control). Body weight (BW) and feed consumption (FC) were recorded at weekly intervals and body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated from BW and FC. The blood samples were collected at 21 and 42 d of the study for the estimation of antioxidant status and blood metabolites. The BW, BWG, and FC were improved statistically (P < 0.05), however, FCR decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in broiler chicks received either SM or NZ alone or in combination compared to the control group. The activities of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) were statistically (P < 0.05) higher in chicks fed a diet contained SM or NZ, or both than in control, but the increment was observed maximum in broilers of SM800 + NZ20 group. The TBARS level was varied statistically (P < 0.05) among the groups and was reported lowest TBARS level in the SM800 + NZ20 group. The dietary supplementation of SM and NZ showed a positive effect on total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), and globulin (GLOB), however showed a negative effect on blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (CREAT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Glucose level was not affected by the supplementation of SM and NZ. The result of the current study concluded that dietary supplementation in broilers improved growth performance, antioxidant status, and liver and kidney functions.