Influence of supplemental selenium and α–tocopherol on performance and blood profile of laying chickens

Abstract

Effect of dietary supplement of selenium and α–tocopherol on performance and blood profile of laying hen was assessed in a trial lasting 20 weeks. ISA brown pullets (n=192) at week 55 of life were randomly assigned to six experimental diets: Basal diet (T1) was without any supplemental selenium or α–tocopherol, T2: Basal + 0.5 mg/kg selenium, T3: Basal diet + 1.0 mg/kg selenium, T4: Basal diet + 1.5 mg/kg selenium, T5: Basal diet + 20 mg/kg α–tocopherol, T6: Basal diet + 40 mg/kg α–tocopherol. Each treatment was replicated four times and a replicate comprised eight hens in a completely randomised design. Performance parameters were not significantly affected (P>0.05) by supplemental selenium and α–tocopherol. The heterophil:lymphocyte ratio was significantly (p<0.05) higher in hens on T6 (0.143) and least in hens on T1 (0.128).  Hens on T6 had significantly higher (P<0.05) packed cell volume (34.95%), red blood cells (2.79x10⁶ IU/L), haemoglobin (11.81 g/100mL), white blood cells (21.41x10⁶), lymphocytes (79.75%), and heterophil (11.41%) than those on Ti which recorded 30.95% PCV, 2.11 x 10⁶ IU/L RBC, 10.35 g/100mL Hb, 19.55 x10⁶ mm WBC, 78.51% lymphocyte and 10.05% heterophil. Similarly, hens on T6 had significantly higher (P<0.05) serum total cholesterol (90.51 mg/dL), high density lipoprotein (23.31 mg/dL), low density lipoprotein (35.54 mg/dL), calcium (14.57%) and phosphorus (4.39%) but lower triglyceride (31.66 mg/dL) than hens on other dietary supplements. Serum total protein, globulin, creatinine, urea, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate amino transferase and alanine amino transferase for hens on T6 was significantly higher (P<0.05) compared with those on T1. Supplemental α–tocopherol did not influence the performance of hens in this study. However, supplementation up to 40 mg/kg α–tocopherol elevated the blood profile of laying hen.