Effect of Antioxidants on Physio-biochemical and Hematological Parameters in Broiler Chicken at High Altitude

The present study was carried out on broilers to study the effect of oral administration of vitamin E and selenium (E-care Se) on growth performance, haematological and biochemical parameters for a period of 42 days (6 weeks). A total of 90 oneday-old broiler chicks were divided into three equal groups: $T_1$, $T_2$ and $T_3$. Group T1 was maintained as control and was fed only with the basal diet throughout the experimental period. Two experimental diets, $T_2$ and $T_3$, were formulated to contain an additional 100 g (150 IU vitamin E/kg+0.5 mg Se/kg) and 200 g (300 IU vitamin E/kg+1.0 mg Se/kg) of E-care Se which was the source of vitamin E and selenium. Body weight was significantly (p<0.05) higher in antioxidant-treated groups compared to the control group. There were no significant differences in feed conversion ratio (FCR). Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein for haematological (TEC, Hb, PCV and ESR) and biochemical (GOT and GPT) study. Body weight was increased significantly in both treated groups compared with the control group and highest body weights were recorded in group $T_2$. TEC, PCV and Hb content increased significantly (p<0.01) in the treated groups as compared to the control group, but ESR, GOT and GPT values decreased significantly (p<0.01) in both treated groups as compared to the control group. The result reveals that use of antioxidants (vitamin E and selenium) is an effective way of getting the best result in terms of body weight gain and haemato-biochemical profiles in broiler birds at high altitude.