Antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic effects of hawthorn extract (Crataegus oxyacantha) in broiler chickens

Abstract

Background One of the main problems in the poultry industry is excess body fat, and the anti-fat effect of Cratagus extract has been confirmed in several studies. Objectives The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of hawthorn extract (Crataegus oxyacantha) on growth performance, haematological variables and hepatic gene expression in broiler chickens reared at high altitude (2100 m). Methods A total of 225-day-old chicks (Ross 308) were randomly distributed into three treatments. Experimental treatments were prepared by adding 0.0, 0.2 and 0.4 mL of hawthorn extract per litre of consumption of water. Results The results showed that weight gain and feed conversion ratio were significantly improved and abdominal fat decreased by consumption of two levels of Crateagus extract when compared to the control (p Conclusions Overall, consumption of 0.4 mL hawthorn extract per litre of drinking water, improved growth performance, suppressed lipogenesis and enhanced antioxidant response.