Effect of Late Addition of Prunus mahaleb L. Seeds in Broiler Performance Exposed to Oxidative Stress

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of the late insertion of mahaleb seed powder (Prunus mahaleb L.) in the diets of broiler chickens exposed to oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), in performance. (80) chick 22-day old (Ross 308) were used in experiment was lasted from (22-42) day of age. Birds were randomly assigned into four groups (20 birds per group) as follows: a negative control group, an oxidative stress group (receiving 0.5% hydrogen peroxide in drinking water), and two experimental groups subjected to oxidative stress and supplemented with mahaleb seed powder at (0.5%) and (1%) in the diet, respectively. Productive performance was assessed by measuring body weight and feed intake at the end of weeks (4, 5, and 6), followed by the calculation of weight gain, growth rate, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and production efficiency Factor (PEF).The results showed that the negative control group (not subjected to oxidative stress) significantly outperformed (P<0.001) all other groups in terms of body weight, weight gain, growth rate, feed intake, FCR, and PEF. Exposure to oxidative stress via hydrogen peroxide led to a significantly marked decline (P<0.001) in performance indicators compared to the negative control. However, supplementation with (0.5%) mahaleb seed powder resulted in relative improvement, particularly in body weight, growth rate, and PEF. The higher inclusion rate of (1%) did not yield additional benefits compared to the (0.5%) level