TABLE 5.
Evaluation of essential oils (EO) and herbal betaine on broiler chickens exposed to cyclic heat stress on serum Fluorescein isothiocyanate–dextran (FITC-d) and bone parameters at days10 and 42a.
| Thermoneutral | Heat stress | Heat stress + EO1 | Heat stress + EO2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serum FITC-d (ng/mL) | ||||
| d 10 | 39.2 ± 6.42 | 36.9 ± 10.07 | 33.6 ± 7.89 | 37.1 ± 7.71 |
| d 42 | 50.9 ± 13.46c | 114.5 ± 13.45a | 67.4 ± 12.46bc | 108.8 ± 21.98ab |
| Tibia break strength (kg) | ||||
| d 10 | 17.3 ± 0.45 | 16.5 ± 0.32 | 16.8 ± 0.30 | 17.1 ± 0.33 |
| d 42 | 33.2 ± 0.53a | 22.3 ± 0.63c | 30.2 ± 0.70b | 30.9 ± 0.58b |
| Total ash from tibia (%) | ||||
| d 10 | 53.9 ± 0.65 | 52.7 ± 0.73 | 53.2 ± 0.81 | 53.5 ± 0.71 |
| d 42 | 56.0 ± 0.90a | 52.2 ± 0.83d | 54.2 ± 0.93b | 53.1 ± 0.76c |
a
Data are expressed as the mean ± SE.
abc Indicates significant differences between the treatments within the rows (p < 0.05). Cyclic heat stress started at day 10. EO1: essential oil of Lippia origanoides, thymol chemotype (45 ppm) and herbal betaine (150 ppm). Administration dose: 350 g/Ton food. EO2: essential oil of Lippia origanoides, phellandrene chemotype (45 ppm) and herbal betaine (150 ppm). Administration dose: 350 g/Ton food.