Contents of Selected Elements in the Blood Serum of Broiler Chickens After Supplementation of Humic Substances

Abstract

Abstract This study was conducted to determine the concentrations of mineral substances, such as: calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn); in the blood serum of broiler chicks after supplementation of humic substances. Group 1 (G1) was supplemented with 0.7 % Humac Natur Mycosorb (HNMy); G2 with 0.7 % Humac Natur Monogastric (HNM); G3 with 0.3 % HNMy; and the control group (GC) received a basal diet without any supplements. In the G2 group, the serum Ca level increased slightly compared to the other experimental groups. A statistically significant decrease (P < 0.001) in the blood serum of Mg was detected in the broilers from group G2 (0.60 mmol.l−1) and G1 (P < 0.05; 0.68 mmol.l−1) in comparison to the GC. The Zn in the blood serum of broilers from group G2 (22.05 µmol.l−1) was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in broilers from group G2 in comparison to the control group (19.47 µmol.l−1) and G1 group (19.61 µmol.l−1). The serum Cu (12.72 µmol.l−1) was significantly increased (P < 0.001) in broilers from group G2 in comparison to the GC (10.28 µmol.l−1). In the group G1 there was a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the level of the Cu in the blood serum (8.69 µmol.l−1) in comparison to the serum Cu in broilers from groups G3 (10.45 µmol.l−1) and G2 (12.72 µmol.l−1). The addition of Humac Natur Mycosorb (0.3 % and 0.7 %) in the feed caused a strong correlation in the blood serum between the Ca and Mg (r = 0.7494; r = 0.7648). The addition of 0.3 % Humac Natur Mycosorb in the feed caused a high negative correlation (r = –0.7078) in the blood serum between the Mg and Zn.