The effects of mulberry (Morus alba Linn.) leaf supplementation on growth performance, blood parameter, and antioxidant status of broiler chickens under high stocking density

Abstract

Background and Aim: A stocking density system in boilers is well known for increasing productivity. However, this system increases stress and affects the growth performance of broilers. Mulberry is a valuable plant with therapeutic applications in traditional medicine; moreover, it reduces free radicals and improves growth performance in broilers. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of mulberry on the blood biochemistry parameters and the antioxidant status of broilers exposed to various raising systems. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and seventy-six 3-week-old male broilers were randomly assigned to nine categories composed of three growing systems: Semi-intensive, low stocking density, and high stocking density. Each group was fed with a control diet mixed with and without 10% mulberry leaf extract; the positive control group was provided with vitamin C. During the study, phytochemical screening of mulberry leaf extract, growth performances, hematological parameters, and antioxidant profiles were measured over the 4 weeks of the treatment. Results: In the high stocking density group, lipid peroxidation gradually increased while antioxidant activities decreased; however, the level of lipid peroxidation was reduced, whereas catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly increased. The growth performance and blood biochemistry were improved after being fed with 10% mulberry leaf extract. Conclusion: This finding indicates that mulberry leaf extract reduced oxidative stress, activated antioxidant enzyme activities, and enhanced broilers' growth performance when raised under stress conditions.

The protective effect of Thai rice bran on N-acetyl-ρ-aminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice

“…The glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity was calculated using the GSSG concentration of the supernatant, which was obtained after centrifuging the reaction mixture for 15 min at 350 g . Based on a GPx unit of mmol(s) of GSSG formed/min at pH 7.4 and 30 °C ( 30 ), the protein results were expressed as a unit/mg.…”

Morus Plant Genus: Superb Antidiabetic Activity and Outstanding Source of Nutrients

“…their livestock: cattle [226], chicken [227], fi sh [228], sheep [229], pigs [230], and rabbits [231], and these are some of the recent and much selected examples.…”

Effects of dietary mulberry leaves on growth, production performance, gut microbiota, and immunological parameters in poultry and livestock: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Additionally, no new eligible studies were identified by reviewing the reference lists of relevant articles. Finally, a total of 18 studies were included in the meta-analysis [11,[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] (Figure 1).…”

“…Several studies have investigated the effects of a mulberry leaf diet on various poultry and livestock, however, their results have been inconsistent [11,[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29]. Moreover, no systematic review has yet summarized the effects of mulberry leaves on the growth, production performance, gut microbiota, and immunological parameters of poultry and livestock.…”