Effect of ascorbic acid supplementation on plasma heat shock protein 70 and production parameters during heat stress in commercial broilers

Abstract

The present work was conducted to investigate the effect of ascorbic acid on plasma heat shock protein 70 and certain production parameters during heat stress in commercial broilers. A total number of 96 birds were randomly divided into 4 groups and each group consist of 12 birds in two replicates. Work was done in two conditions, heat and comfort. Heat stressed groups were maintained at 37±5.0 °C ambience whereas Comfort groups were maintained at 26±1.0 °C. G1 was taken as control whereas G2, G3 and G4 were supplemented with 100 mg, 200 mg and 300 mg of ascorbic acid respectively. The overall mean concentration of plasma HSP70 showed non-significant difference between comfort and heat stressed broilers in all the groups. However, a significantly (p