Effect of Prunus armeniaca seed extract on health, survivability, antioxidant, blood biochemical and immune status of broiler chickens at high altitude cold desert

Abstract

Extreme climatic conditions and hypobaric hypoxia at high altitude hinders the growth and productivity of chickens. The present study was carried out to examine the effect of aqueous extract of Prunus armeniaca seeds on health, survivability, antioxidants, plasma biochemical parameters, and immune status of broiler chickens at high altitude. Phytochemical analysis of extract revealed the presence of high phenolics, flavonoids, and carotenoids contents. Before the in vivo study, in vitro efficacy evaluation indicated a significant protective effect of the extract in chicken peripheral blood lymphocytes. For in vivo study, experimental groups include control (fed the basal diet), and treatment T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, and T6 which received an aqueous extract of P. armeniaca in drinking water at concentrations of 100, 150, 200, 300, 400, and 800 mg/kg body weight of chicken respectively, along with basal diet for 42 days. Body weight was significantly increased in all treatment groups as compared to control group and the highest body weight was recorded in T3 group. Higher profit was gained in treatment groups due to lesser mortality in chickens. Moreover, chicken in the treatment groups had significantly higher total antioxidant capacity, free radical scavenging activity, interleukin-2, total protein, albumin, globulin level and lower malondialdehyde, interleukin-6, glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, ALT and AST level as compared to control group. Results suggest that, P. armeniaca extract at 200 mg/kg body weight of chicken, exhibited the beneficial effect on growth performance and survivability rate of broilers and therefore, could be useful as phytogenic feed additive for broiler chickens at high altitude cold desert.

Keywords: Antioxidant; Broiler chickens; Growth performance; High altitude; Immune responses; Prunus armeniaca.

Graphical abstract

Fig. 1

In vitro efficacy of P. armeniaca extract. (a) Effect of aqueous extract of P. armeniaca on chicken PBL proliferation. Each bar represents the mean ± SE value obtained from four culture wells. Each value was compared with untreated control cells as well as with in different dose concentrations (b) Cytoprotective activity of extract against H₂O₂ induced toxicity in chicken PBL. Each value was compared with H₂O₂ stimulated cells as well as with in different dose concentrations. Bars having different superscripts (^{a, b, c, d, e}) differ significantly (P < 0.05) according to Duncan’s multiple range test.