THERMOREGULATORY RESPONSES OF HEAT-STRESSED BROILER CHICKENS FED Α-LIPOIC ACID
Keywords:
lipoic acid, heat stress, thermoregulation, broilers, temperature-humidity-indexAbstract
A study was carried out to investigate the effect of alpha-lipoic acid (α-LA) on thermoregulatory indices of heat-stressed broiler chickens. Two hundred and four (204) unsexed day-old Arbor acre chicks were randomly assigned to four treatment groups to receive α-LA at 0, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg respectively in a completely randomized design (CRD) for a period of 42 days after a one-week adjustment period. Average room morning and afternoon temperatures were 27.9oC and 35.1oc respectively, while the morning and afternoon humidities were 73.1% and 44.1% respectively. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Average Temperature-Humidity-Index (THI) indicated the presence of very severe heat stress in the afternoons (33.4). Thermoregulatory indices (respiratory rate and body temperature) were significantly (p<0.05) affected by α-LA with birds on 100 and 200mg/kg α-LA having lover respiratory rates and body temperature compared to the other groups. It was concluded that, α-LA had ameliorative effect on thermoregulation of heat-stressed broiler
chickens.