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. 2024 Jun 25;103(9):104003. doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.104003

Table 4.

Different strategies used in alleviating the effects of oxidative stress in poultry.

Strategies Method Mechanisms of action References
Environmental approach
Controlled housing Use of cooling equipment. E.g: fan, Ventilator, sprinkler system Reduces the heat load on the body of the birds Daghir, 2008
Management Reduced stocking rate Helps to reduce heat buildup and ammonia concentration in the pen Saeed et al., 2018
Thermal conditioning Embryonic thermal conditioning Helps to inhibit the generation of uncoupled proteins and by increasing HSP70 synthesis thereby enhancing the bird's adaptive capacity Oke et al., 2020; Liew et al., 2003, Loyau et al., 2016; Meteyake et al., 2020
Genetic approach
By using selected breeds of chicken - naked neck genes the reduced plumage helps in dissipating heat Patra et al., 2002; Desta, 2021; Fernandes et al., 2023
Frizzle gene Helps to decrease feather intensity leading to an increase in the ability of the birds to dissipate heat
-It also increases heat loss from the body
Fathi et al., 2019; Wasti et al., 2020,
Marker-assisted selected breeding Use of candidate gene of HSP90 and HSP70 gene expression helps to improve the thermotolerance of birds Mahmoud et al., 2003
Dietary approach
Feeding method Feed restriction Restricting feed during high ambient temperatures helps to reduce thermal load caused by digestion Syafwan et al., 2011
Withdrawal of feed It minimizes heat load accumulation caused by metabolic heat produced during the processes of digestion, absorption, assimilation, and excretion Syafwan et al., 2011
Wet feeding Helps to promote water intake thereby relieving the birds from heat Syafwan et al., 2011
Use of selected feedstuffs Supplementation with fat and oil Oils and fats contain high energy value which helps to promote feed consumption, reduces heat load, and improves performance Attia et al., 2021
Supplementation with dried plum Dried plum helps to increase the HSP-related gene expression (HSP90, HSP70, HSF3, and HSF1) and antioxidant-related genes (GPX, GPX, and SOD) Wasti et al., 2021
Amino acids Supply of essential amino acids like lysine and arginine is advantageous to minimize the impacts of heat stress.
Also, supplementation with Methionine reduced muscle oxidation and improve antioxidant status in thermally-challenged chickens
Sulfur amino acids supplementation also helps in reducing chronic heat stress by increasing antioxidant production and also protects the intestinal permeability of broiler chickens
Saeed et al., 2018; Zeitz et al., 2020; Ajayi et al.; 2022; Sarsour et al., 2022
Use of non-limiting amino acids and their derivatives (betaine taurine, L-citrulline and L-theanine,) They have bioactive compounds that have properties that make them act as antioxidants, immunomodulators, anti-stressors, gut stimulants and anti-inflammatory when fed to heat-stressed birds Uyanga et al., 2022
Vitamins Vitamins A, B, D, E, and C are involved in upregulating immunocompetence and antioxidant defense in heat- stressed broilers Niu et al., 2009; Khna et al., 2011; Calik et al., 2022
Minerals Offering potassium chloride to heat-stressed birds reduced the blood pH there by enhancing the thermotolerance of the birds.
Zinc is a cofactor for several enzymes and its addition to feed brings about a decrease in plasma corticosterone levels
Selenium helped to increase the heat resistance of heat-stressed birds
Manganese helps to increase the secretion of heat shock protein and also promotes antioxidants expression
Chromium helps to improve oxidative stability and blood biochemical indices
Ahmad et al., 2008; Toghyani et al 2012; Khan et al., 2014; Habibian et al 2015
Phytogenics Resveratrol, ginkgo, cinnamon, licorice, moringa, rosemary, thyme, hot red pepper, sweet wormwood, turmeric, black cumin and ginger Bioactive agents including quercetin resveratrol, and curcumin have been shown to activate vitagenes which helps to regulate the antioxidant defense system effectively.
They help in scavenging free radicals, enhancing the immune system, decreasing corticosterone release, controlling heat shock response, improving nutrient digestibility, protecting intestinal health, exerting antimicrobial effects, decreasing lipid peroxidation, promoting the antioxidant defense system and regulating blood biochemical properties.
It should be noted that the phytogenic active compounds for example, polyphenols may contain anti-nutritional factors or may be poorly absorbed and in some cases may not be detected in target tissues.
Nawab et al., 2018, 2019; Madkour et al., 2022; Oyelola et al., 2024; Ding et al., 2023, Akosile et al., 2023b; Kpomasse et al., 2023b; Oke et al., 2017 ; Onagbesan et al., 2023; Tokofai et al., 2023; Oke, 2018; Oke et al., 2021b