Indian Journal of Animal Research

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Indian Journal of Animal Research, volume 55 issue 2 (february 2021) : 189-192

Studies on Serum Mineral Profile and Kidney Function of Broiler Chickens Fed Diets Containing Different Supplements

S.S. Chauhan1, R.K. Sharma1, D.V. Singh1, S.K. Shukla2, J. Palod1, M.K. Singh3,*
1Department of Livestock Production Management, G.B.P.U.A and T., Pantnagar-263 145, Uttarakhand, India.
2Department of Veterinary Medicine, G.B.P.U.A and T., Pantnagar-263 145, Uttarakhand, India.
3Department of Poultry Science, DUVASU, Mathura-281 001, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Cite article:- Chauhan S.S., Sharma R.K., Singh D.V., Shukla S.K., Palod J., Singh M.K. (2020). Studies on Serum Mineral Profile and Kidney Function of Broiler Chickens Fed Diets Containing Different Supplements . Indian Journal of Animal Research. 55(2): 189-192. doi: 10.18805/ijar.B-3934.
The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of various feed supplements on minerals status and kidney health of broiler chickens. Two hundred fifty two, day-old Cobb-400 broiler chicks were randomly distributed into seven groups with 3 replicates of 12 chicks each. The first treatment was designated as control (T0) in which no supplement was added to the feed, while in treatments T1; organic mineral mixture (Organomin forte), T2; organic mineral mixture (Vannamin), T3; probiotics (Microguard), T4; enzyme (Brozyme -XPR) and probiotics, T5; emulsifier (Lipigon) were provided through feed. In T6 group, 3 per cent less energy was given through feed. The serum calcium levels were significantly (P<0.05) increased in supplemented groups as compared to T0 (control) group in both the periods while phosphorus values were significantly (P<0.05) increased in supplemented groups during starter period. Urea, Uric acid, BUN and creatinine values were significantly (P<0.05) decreased in supplemented groups as compared to T0 group in both the periods. B/C ratios were significantly (P<0.05) decreased in all supplemented groups except T3 and T4 in both the periods. Therefore, it could be concluded that dietary supplementation maintained the mineral homeostasis and did not have adverse effect on kidney function. 
The Indian broiler farmers rely on the commercial feeds produced by feed mill industries. In general, commercial broiler feeds have been formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of the birds. In some cases, the bad feed handling on the farm such as prolonged storage or inadequate storage conditions may, however, impair the nutritional qual­ities of the feeds. Such condition may cause specific micronutrient deficiencies, especially minerals, leading to growth retardation in broilers (Aviagen, 2014). To optimize the growth potential of modern broilers in the commercial farms, the commercial broiler feeds are generally supplemented with organic mineral mixtures, probiotics, enzymes and emulsifiers.
        
Increased level of creatinine in serum can be indicative of kidney damage (Yalcin et al., 2012). Certain probiotic microorganisms have the ability to use urea, creatinine and other toxic chemicals as its nutrients for growth (Salim et al., 2011). Therefore, relatively low level creatinine may be an indication of the renal protective effects of the probiotic microorganism.
        
Hence, it would be interesting to investigate the effect of such dietary treatment on the performances and physiolog­ical responses of broiler chickens. Taken together, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of supplementation of various dietary supplements and their combination on their mineral homeostasis and kidney functions.
Experimental birds and dietary treatments
 
The present study was undertaken at the Instructional Poultry Farm (IPF) of Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, U.S. Nagar. A total of 252, day old commercial broiler chicks (Cobb) were procured for conducting the experiment. All the chicks were individually weighed and randomly allotted to seven different groups each with three replicates of 12 chicks. Average body weight of chicks was similar for all the treatment groups. The study was conducted for a period of 6 weeks under standard management conditions. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. The detail of experimental diets is given in Table 1.

Table 1: Dietary treatments for experimental birds.


 
Serum analysis
 
Blood samples (2 ml) were taken from the wing vein of 6 fasting broilers per treatment groups on 21st and 42th day of experiment. Serum was obtained by centrifugation of blood at 3000 rpm for 10 min, and then it was frozen at -20°C for future analysis. Serum sodium (Na) and potassium (K) were determined by conventional flame photometry method, while serum calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) were determined using cresolpthalein complexone (Baginski, 1973) and ammonium molybdate methods (Gomorri, 1942), respectively. Urea, uric acid, blood urea nitrogen (B), creatinine (C) and B/C were estimated using standard procedure.
 
Statistical analysis
 
All data pertaining to various parameters were analysed statistically by running ANOVA using SPSS 16 software. Significant mean differences between the treatments were determined at a 5% significance level (P<0.05) using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) as modified by Kramer (1957).
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 T0 (control) group during both the periods. Phosphorus values were significantly (P<0.05) increased in supplemented groups as compared to T0 (control) group during starter period. Phosphorus values were significantly (P<0.05) higher in all the feed supplemented groups except in T6 during finisher period.
 

Table 2: Effect of feed supplements on serum mineral profile of broilers in different treatment groups at 21 and 42 days.


        
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 T0 (control) group in both the periods. B/C ratios were significantly (P<0.05) decreased in T3 and T4 groups in both the periods.
 

Table 3: Effect of feed supplements on kidney function parameters of broilers in different treatment groups at 21 and 42 days.


        
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.
In conclusion, supplementing broiler feeds with various dietary supplements viz. organic mineral mixtures, probiotics, enzymes and emulsifier enabled broiler chickens to improve their electrolytic homeostasis. Supplements were also found to possess nephro-protective properties as is evident from the findings of the present investigation.
Authors are thankful to the Director, Experiment Station, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar and the Dean, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pantnagar for providing necessary facilities to conduct the experiment. Assistance provided by the Department of Livestock Products Technology of G.B. Pant University of Agricultural and Technology for this work is also thankfully acknowledged.

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