Improving reproductive efficiency and general health of laying hen breeders is one of the main Challenges in the poultry industry, as these factors are closely linked to the quality of fertilized eggs, hatch rates and the success of breeding programs. Since the use of antibiotics and chemical additives in poultry feed has been restricted due to health and environmental concerns, research has recently focused on using natural alternatives as safe and effective dietary supplements, especially medicinal and aromatic plants (Hernandez et al., 2004; Windisch et al., 2008; Musawi et al., 2021). This shifting emphasis to bio-friendly and normal substitutes to substitute synthetic chemicals is also a growing trend in modern agricultural practices, which biological control agents and green nanoparticles are being used to alleviate diseases instead of using chemical pesticides (Al-Shujairi et al., 2021). In addition to supporting immune and digestive system functions, herbs are abundant in flavonoids, phenolic compounds and essential oils, which have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant of these herbs, dill (Anethum graveolens) and basil (Ocimum basilicum) are particularly notable for their traditional usage in folk medicine. Numerous studies have demonstrated the benefits of both on the physiological and production performance of chicken (Al-Kassie, 2010; Ali et al., 2017). Antioxidants like linalool, eugenol and phenolic components, which help to neutralize free radicals and enhance liver function, are what set basil apart (Manikandan et al., 2007).  Anethole, carvone and flavonoid chemicals found in dill have antioxidant qualities and aid in the breakdown of proteins and lipids (Zhang et al., 2012). Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of dill (Anethum graveolens), a Medicinal herbs are rich in flavonoids, phenolic compounds and essential oils, as antioxidants and antimicrobial agents. The presence of these active compounds has been widely studied, revealing that phytogenic treatments can improve the accumulation of total phenolics and flavonoids in basil (Ocimum basilicum) (Alarkwazi, 2026).

It also has the potential to improve liver and kidney function as well as the physiological performance of birds and poultry.  Enzymatic antioxidants like glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) help shield cells from oxidative stress, which can impair essential activities in birds, particularly in high-stress breeding environments (Surai , 2002). This oxidative stress in poultry can similarly be triggered or rigorously exacerbated through feed contaminants, for example mycotoxigenic fungi (e.g., Fusarium spp.), highlighting the energetic need for dietary plant-derived antioxidants to counter such agricultural and toxicological dangers (Odeh et al., 2021).

Therefore, it becomes crucial to assess how natural herbs affect these essential defensive mechanisms. Male poultry reproductive activity is mostly controlled by sex hormones like testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Testosterone drives secondary male traits and sexual activity, while FSH regulates sperm formation and testicular function. Numerous studies show that the balance of these hormones can be directly impacted by oxidative stress levels and nutritional status, which in turn affects sperm quality and reproductive efficiency (Sahin et al., 2006). Herbs having hormonal and antioxidant properties, such as dill and basil, are likely to influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and, in turn, blood levels of testosterone and FSH.

Thus, this study’s measurement of these hormones advances our knowledge of the ways in which herbal supplements can enhance the physiological and reproductive health of broiler breeder roosters. Finding the ideal dosage of dill and basil to provide the finest biochemical and hormonal effects is the goal of the study.

The present study evaluates how dill and basil affect hormone levels to better understand their role in improving broiler breeder roosters physiological and reproductive health. The research aims to identify the specific dosage that yields the most effective biochemical and hormonal outcomes. Particularly at late-stage production (64 weeks of age), when reproductive performance naturally declines.

Field experimenting
 
The field experiment was conducted in the poultry field, where the study the addition of varying levels of aqueous extract from the leaves of dill and basil plants on the biochemical traits of male layer breeders. The experiment started on 28/11/2024 and ended on 24/2/2025. Fifteen Lohmann breed roosters, averaging 2.5 kg in weight at 64 weeks of age, were used. The experimental treatments were randomly divided to the cages under 5 treatments, each consisting of 3 replicates (one rooter per replicate cage) and the extracts were given daily in water. T1= without addition, T2= Adding 20 ml of water from the aqueous extract of basil leaves at a concentration of 20%. T3= Adding 50 ml of water from the basil extract with a concentration of 50%. T4 = Adding 20 ml of water from the aqueous extract of dill leaves at a concentration of 20%, T5 = Adding 50 ml of water from the aqueous extract of dill leaves at a concentration of 50%.
 
Feed components
 
Lohmann breeder roosters were fed balanced diets of 100 grams of feed per day during the experimental period and the feed was provided at fixed times throughout the duration of the experiment. The diet components included 44.76% yellow corn, 4.54% wheat bran, 30% wheat, 12.76% soybeans,1.98% premix, methionine 0.45, lysine 0.63, calcium 1.65 and phosphorus 0.47 are shown in Table 1 and 2.




 
Preparation of the aqueous extract of basil and dill leaves
 
The plant leaves were obtained from the home garden, dried in the shade, ground into a powder and weighed using a sensitive scale. Thereafter, 200 g of the dried leaves were soaked in 2 liters of warm distilled water at a temperature of 50 degrees for 24 hours and then filtered through filter paper. The filtrate was collected and the residue was left behind. The filtrate was then added to the birds’ drinking water (Al-Ibrahemi et al., 2023).
 
Phytochemical screening of aqueous extracts
 
A qualitative phytochemical screening of the aqueous extracts was performed to identify primary bioactive secondary metabolites (Al-Abedy et al., 2020). For alkaloid detection, the collected filtrate was treated with Wagner’s reagent (potassium iodide and iodine), resulting in the formation of a characteristic reddish-brown precipitate. Phenolic compounds were identified using the lead acetate test, where 0.2 mL of a 1% lead acetate solution was added to 2.5 mg of the extract to yield a visible precipitate. The presence of glycosides was determined by dissolving 0.5 mg of the extract in 1 mL of distilled water (D.W.), followed by the addition of an aqueous sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution to produce a yellow hue. For tannins, 5 mL of D.W. was combined with 5 mL of the extract, heated in a water bath at 80-100°C for 10 minutes, filtered and treated with five drops of 1% ferric chloride to yield a dark green coloration. Lastly, flavonoids were screened by mixing 4 mL of the extract with 1.5 mL of 50% methanol, heating with magnesium metal and acidifying with five drops of concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCl) until a red hue developed.
 
Blood collection and biochemical assay
 
Measuring the levels of sex hormones in blood plasma, Blood samples from 76-week-old breeder roosters (at the end of the 12-week experimental period) chickens were drawn using a 5 ml syringe equipped with a blood withdrawal needle and Should be collected in gel tubes. These tubes were then placed in a centrifuge at a speed of 6000 RPM for 15 minutes to separate the serum from the upper part and then sent to the laboratory for hormone measurement interstitial cell stimulating Hormone (ICSH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and Testostérone by cobas e411 apparatus  (Salman et al., 2023). The antioxidant (CAT and GSH) and oxidase enzymes (MDA) in the seminal plasma were measured using (detection kits specific to the 3000 smartspes device from the manufacturer Bio rad) following the procedure established by the manufacturer.
 
Statistical analysis
 
All experimental data were subjected to statistical analysis by using SPSS software (Version 26.0). A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to assess the differences amongst the 5 treatment groups. Treatment means were compared by using Duncan’s multiple range test to determine the significant differences at a significance level of P≤0.01. The results were presented as mean ±± standard deviation (SD).

The results indicate at Table (3) phytochemical screen study was to determine the active compounds at extract of  basil and dill plants  show Alkaloid, Phenol, Glycoside and Flavonoid positive results,  Tannins Negative results Based on the results in Table 4 shows the measurement of some sex hormones in the experiment according to the workers, where the T5 treatment recorded a significant increase in hormone levels (ICSH, FSH and Testosterone) with an average of (2.56±1.42b ml/mg, 2.92±0.93a mlU/ml and 6.92±0.56abml/mg) compared to the control treatment (T1) (1.42±0.54a ml/mg, 2.15±0.23 bmlU/ml  and 2.75±0.34 bml/mg).





Indicate the results in Table 5 shows the measurement of oxidant and antioxidant enzymes in the experiment according to the workers, where the T5 treatment recorded a significant increase in hormone levels (MDA, GSH and CAT) with an average of (0.45±1.37b, 26.63±0.63b and 1.473±0.83a µmol/l) compared to the control treatment (T1) (0.95±0.45b, 18.45±0.64a and 1.124±0.74a µmol/l).



The results of this study showed that the addition of basil and dill powders to the diets of broiler breeder hens led to a significant improvement in biochemical parameters and antioxidant activity, as well as an increase in sex hormone levels (FSH and testosterone), reflecting a positive effect of these herbs on the general health and reproductive activity of roosters. A significant decrease in liver enzyme levels (MDA) was observed in the treated groups compared to the control group, indicating an improvement in liver health and a reduction in oxidative damage. This supports the claim made by that the phenolic compounds and flavonoids found in basil extract have liver-protective qualities because they lower lipid oxidation and shield liver cells. MDA, clear evidence of less oxidative stress, decreased in the treated groups and antioxidant enzyme activity (CAT, FSH) increased significantly as well. A related enhancement of the antioxidant defense system, represented by reduced MDA and raised GSH and CAT activities, has been stated in poultry enhanced with highly active organic metabolic compounds (Gopi et al., 2018). The chemicals found in basil, such as linalool and eugenol, which strengthen cellular defense against free radicals, were thought to be responsible for these outcomes (Surai, 2002). According to Zhang et al., (2012), dill’s anethole and carvone are likewise well-known for their antioxidant qualities. These findings demonstrate how the herbs can help birds’ oxidative equilibrium, which in turn helps to increase the effectiveness of their key organs and their resilience to stress. According to the findings, the treated birds’ blood levels of the hormones FSH and testosterone, particularly in T5, significantly increased. The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis is directly positively impacted by this rise, which shows stimulation of the pituitary gland and testes. These findings are in line with a study by Sahin et al., (2006) that shown the ability of antioxidant plant supplements to lower oxidative stress and enhance sex hormone release. Ali (2017) indicated that these phytogenic supplements improve overall physiological health and alleviate lipid peroxidation in testicular tissues, thus enabling an increase in endogenous, testosterone synthesis. These results propose that phytogenic supplements from basil and dill could help as natural, safe and healthy alternatives to synthetic growth stimulants and prophylactic antibiotics in poultry production. This is aligned with the worldwide growing trend of using organic plant by-products and medicinal herbs in poultry nutrition to improve immune response and production performance without depending on synthetic compounds (Chaib et al., 2023).

Future studies will be required to explore the potential synergistic joint effects of combining both extracts.

In conclusion, dietary supplementation with aqueous extracts of basil as well as dill, particularly at the 50% concentration, significantly improves the reproductive endocrinology and antioxidant status of late-phase Lohmann Brown breeder roosters. The treatment led to raised levels of sex hormones (FSH, ICSH and testosterone) and boosted antioxidant defenses (CAT, GSH) while reducing lipid peroxidation (MDA). These findings indicate that basil and dill extracts represent highly effective, natural phytogenic alternatives to synthetic stimulants, capable of extending the reproductive longevity and health of aging breeder roosters. This highlights the wider potential of exploiting agricultural residues and plant-derived resources, which are rich in bioactive resources and natural compounds, for sustainable applications across various fields. These results suggest that using these plants could be a safe and healthful substitute for synthetic stimulants or antibiotics.

Authors would like to express their special thanks and gratitude to the Department of Animal production/ College of Agriculture/ Kerbala University for all their kind and helpful support during the study period.
 
Authors’ contribution (acf)
 
All authors contributed equally to the design, execution  and writing of this study.

The authors declare no conflict of interest.