2025, Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part D
Comparative effects of Thymus vulgaris supplementation on growth performance, hepatic enzyme activity, and antioxidant status in broiler chickens
Author(s): Gheyath Hadi Ameen, Tharaa Kamel Abadi and Mansoor Hasan Hassoon
Abstract: This study evaluated the effects of Thymus vulgaris supplementation on growth performance, hepatic biochemical indices, and antioxidant status in Ross 308 broiler chickens. A total of 120 one-day-old chicks (40±2 g) were randomly assigned to four treatment groups (n = 30 per group): a control group receiving a basal diet, a group supplemented with thyme powder (0.5 g/kg feed; T1), a group administered thyme aqueous extract (300 mg/L drinking water; T2), and a combined treatment group receiving both powder and extract (T3). The experimental trial was conducted over a 30-day period under standardized environmental and management conditions. Growth performance was monitored through systematic body weight measurements. Serum activities of hepatic enzymes namely aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) together with oxidative stress biomarkers, including malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), were quantified using ELISA-based biochemical assays. Initial body weights did not differ significantly among the groups (p>0.05). However, final body weight increased significantly (p<0.01) in all thyme-supplemented groups, with the greatest improvement observed in T3 (1667.9 g) compared with the control group (1539.1 g). Additionally, birds receiving thyme supplementation exhibited substantial reductions in serum AST and ALT activities (p<0.001), indicating a pronounced hepatoprotective effect associated with the bioactive phytochemicals of Thymus vulgaris. Conversely, MDA concentrations showed a progressive increase across treatments (p<0.001), whereas TAC values decreased significantly, suggesting a complex and potentially dose-dependent oxidative response. This pattern may reflect increased metabolic turnover linked to enhanced growth performance, or limitations in the antioxidant buffering capacity at the administered supplementation levels. In conclusion, Thymus vulgaris supplementation particularly the combined powder-plus-extract protocol markedly enhanced growth performance and improved hepatic function in broiler chickens. Nevertheless, the observed elevation in MDA accompanied by reduced TAC highlights the need for further investigations to refine dosage strategies and optimize the antioxidant potential of thyme while preserving its growth-promoting and hepatoprotective properties.
DOI: 10.33545/27080013.2025.v6.i2d.263
Pages: 279-285 | Views: 105 | Downloads: 42
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How to cite this article:
Gheyath Hadi Ameen, Tharaa Kamel Abadi, Mansoor Hasan Hassoon. Comparative effects of Thymus vulgaris supplementation on growth performance, hepatic enzyme activity, and antioxidant status in broiler chickens. Acta Entomol Zool 2025;6(2):279-285. DOI: 10.33545/27080013.2025.v6.i2d.263
