Effects of supplemental levels of bazhen on growth performances, serum traits, immunity, meat quality and antioxidant activity of Taiwan country chickens

Tu Fa Lien, Kou Joong Lin, Ling Ling Yang, Lih Geeng Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

One hundred and sixty Taiwan country chickens (d-old chicks) were randomly assigned into four groups with four replicates and equal sex. Basal diets were supplemented with 0, 0.5, 1 and 2% of Bazhen powder, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine complex. The study was conducted for 14 wks. Experimental results indicated that Bazhen supplement did not influence feed intake, body weight gain and feed:gain ratio. Compared with control group, the percentage of serum HDL (high-density lipoprotein) linearly increased (p<0.03) and that of VLDL+LDL (very low-density+low-density lipoprotein) linearly decreased (p<0.03) in Bazhen supplemented groups, that 2% Bazhen was significantly different with control group (p<0.05). Chickens fed diets containing 2% Bazhen displayed reduced (p<0.05) serum GOT (glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase) levels. The IgG, γ-globulin levels and PHA (phytohemagglutinin) skin challenge results in 1% Bazhan supplemented group were higher (p<0.05) than in the control group, the SRBC (sheep red blood cell) and ND (newcastle disease) titers in Bazhen supplemented groups were linear higher (p<0.05) than in the control group. The liver catalase activity and the capacity of scavenging DPPH (α-α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl) radical were linearly increased (p<0.03) in Bazhen supplemented groups, and the 1 and 2% groups were different from the control group (p<0.05). Liver TBARS (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances) levels in all Bazhen supplemented groups and total glutathione level in the 2% group were reduced (p<0.05) compared to the control group and displayed a linear response (p<0.05). The TBA (thiobarbituric acid) and pH value of the breast muscle after 24 h post-mortem in the Bazhen supplemented groups was linear lower (p<0.05) than in the control group. Results from this study demonstrated that Bazhen supplement in chicken had several beneficial effects, including increased SRBC and ND titers, HDL and IgG, γ-globulin levels, PHA skin challenge result, decreased VLDL+LDL and GOT levels, and displayed antioxidation effects in serum and carcass meat parameters.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)675-682
Number of pages8
JournalAsian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
Volume26
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2013

Keywords

  • Antioxidant activity
  • Bazhen
  • Chickens
  • Growth performances
  • Meat quality
  • Serum traits

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Food Science
  • Animal Science and Zoology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Effects of supplemental levels of bazhen on growth performances, serum traits, immunity, meat quality and antioxidant activity of Taiwan country chickens'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this