Serum mineral profile of broiler chickens at different intervals in different experimental groups is given in Table 2. Calcium values were significantly (P<0.05) higher in supplemented groups as compared to T
0 (control) group during both the periods. Phosphorus values were significantly (P<0.05) increased in supplemented groups as compared to T
0 (control) group during starter period. Phosphorus values were significantly (P<0.05) higher in all the feed supplemented groups except in T
6 during finisher period.
Kidney function parameters at different intervals in different experimental groups are given in Table 3. Urea, Uric acid, BUN and creatinine values were significantly (P<0.05) decreased in supplemented groups as compared to T
0 (control) group in both the periods. B/C ratios were significantly (P<0.05) decreased in T
3 and T
4 groups in both the periods.
The results of the present experiment were in accordance with the findings of Dousa
et al. (2015) who found significant increase in serum calcium, phosphorus and non-significant (P<0.05) difference in serum sodium and potassium values of broilers supplemented with probiotics. Aluwong
et al. (2013) found significant (P<0.05) increase in serum calcium, phosphorus concentrations of broilers fed diet supplemented with probiotic (
Sacchromyces cerevisiae). The increase in serum calcium and phosphorus levels in treated groups may be attributed to the lowering of pH in gastrointestinal tract which increases the absorption of such minerals from the gut into the blood stream resulting into increased levels of serum calcium and phosphorus. The mineral content in the serum of birds considerably depends upon its mineral concentration in feeds as well as factors influencing the degree of their absorption in the digestive tract
(Monika et al., 2012).
The results of the present experiment with respect to kidney function parameters were in accordance with the findings of Hajati
et al. (2009) who noted significant decrease (P<0.05) in uric acid level in broilers fed diet supplemented with enzymes. Salim
et al. (2011), Okuneye
et al. (2016) and Haque
et al. (2017) reported significant (P<0.05) decrease in creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in broilers supplemented with probiotics. Similarly, Ashour
et al. (2015) reported significant (P<0.05) decrease in creatinine and urea values of broilers fed diet supplemented with probiotics while Sugiharto
et al. (2018) observed significant (P<0.05) decrease in uric acid level of broilers fed diet supplemented with probiotics. In contrast, Ahmed
et al. (2015) reported significant (P<0.05) increase in creatinine and uric acid levels of broilers fed diet supplemented with probiotics.
Probiotic microorganisms have the ability to use creatinine, urea, uric acid, BUN and other toxic chemicals as their nutrients for growth. This might be the reason for low creatinine, urea and uric acid and BUN levels in the present experiment. Therefore; relatively low levels of creatinine, urea, uric acid and BUN may be an indication of the renal protective effects of the feed supplements containing organic mineral mixtures, probiotics, enzymes and emulsifier.