ABSTRACT
The study evaluated the effect of dietary selenium (Se) and
zinc (Zn) on growth, physiological responses, organ development, and laying
performance of Shaver Brown pullet chickens using 180 day old chicks. The birds
were assigned to four treatments (T1 - T4) (45/group, 15/replicate)
in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Control group (T1) received
basal diet while T2, T3, and T4 received diet
supplemented with 0.3 mg Se, 120 mg Zn, and 0.3 mg Se + 120 mg Zn,
respectively. The birds were reared on deep litter floor from 0 – 20 weeks of
age (WOA), and in individual layer cages from 21 WOA. Birds were fed chicks
mash containing 19.65 % CP and 2985 Kcal ME/kg from 0 – 8 WOA, growers mash ;16.85
% CP and 2954 Kcal ME/kg from 9 – 20 WOA ad
libitum and layers mash;17.25 % CP and 2965 Kcal ME/kg at 125 g/bird/day from
21 WOA. Water was provided ad libitum throughout the study period. Parameters
evaluated were growth performance, haematological and serum biochemical
indices, tissue oxidative and antioxidant profiles, follicular dynamics and
histomorphology, short-term laying performance and egg quality indices. Data were
analyzed using one way analysis of variance in a CRD. Results showed
significant treatment effects on growth performance, daily feed intake, and
feed conversion ratio; relative organ weight, haematological, and serum
biochemical indices, tissue oxidative and antioxidant profiles, reproductive
organ development, follicular dynamics and histomorphology, laying performance,
and some egg quality parameters. The final body weight, total weight gain, and
daily weight gain were significantly lower (p<0.05) in birds fed zinc when compared
with other treatments. Feed intake was significantly higher in T1 (67.18
± 0.19 g) compared with T3 (65.48 ± 0.39g) and T4 (65.81
± 0.50 g) but similar between T1 and T2 while feed
conversion ratio was significantly higher in T3 (6.97 ± 0.04 g) compared
with other treatments. At 8 and 20 WOA, PCV, Hb, and RBC; serum proteins, and
liver enzymes (AST, ALT, and ALP) were higher in treated groups compared to
control group. Whereas tissue malondaldehyde level (MDA, a measure of lipid
peroxidation) was higher in the control group across the age periods, tissue
antioxidants profile (CAT, GSH, and SOD) were either significantly higher (p
< 0.05) in the treated groups or similar to those of control group. Weight
of ovary was generally similar between treatments but oviduct weight and length
were either higher in the treated groups or similar to the control. Follicular
histomorphology showed more advanced development of ovarian follicles in
treated groups compared to control group and hen day egg production was
significantly higher in treated groups at weeks 33 – 37 and 38 – 42. In
conclusion, dietary supplementation of organic Se and Zn reduced lipid peroxidation,
and enhanced cellular antioxidant activity, reproductive organ development,
laying performance, some growth parameters, and egg quality indices of pullet
and layer chickens.
NORAH, N (2024). Effect Of Organic Selenium And Zinc On Physiological Performance, Reproductive Organ Development And Laying Characteristics Of Hens :- Ogbu, Norah N. Mouau.afribary.org: Retrieved Sep 08, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/effect-of-organic-selenium-and-zinc-on-physiological-performance-reproductive-organ-development-and-laying-characteristics-of-hens-ogbu-norah-n-7-2
NONYE, NORAH. "Effect Of Organic Selenium And Zinc On Physiological Performance, Reproductive Organ Development And Laying Characteristics Of Hens :- Ogbu, Norah N" Mouau.afribary.org. Mouau.afribary.org, 18 Jul. 2024, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/effect-of-organic-selenium-and-zinc-on-physiological-performance-reproductive-organ-development-and-laying-characteristics-of-hens-ogbu-norah-n-7-2. Accessed 08 Sep. 2024.
NONYE, NORAH. "Effect Of Organic Selenium And Zinc On Physiological Performance, Reproductive Organ Development And Laying Characteristics Of Hens :- Ogbu, Norah N". Mouau.afribary.org, Mouau.afribary.org, 18 Jul. 2024. Web. 08 Sep. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/effect-of-organic-selenium-and-zinc-on-physiological-performance-reproductive-organ-development-and-laying-characteristics-of-hens-ogbu-norah-n-7-2 >.
NONYE, NORAH. "Effect Of Organic Selenium And Zinc On Physiological Performance, Reproductive Organ Development And Laying Characteristics Of Hens :- Ogbu, Norah N" Mouau.afribary.org (2024). Accessed 08 Sep. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/effect-of-organic-selenium-and-zinc-on-physiological-performance-reproductive-organ-development-and-laying-characteristics-of-hens-ogbu-norah-n-7-2