Effect of ascorbic acid supplementation on corticosterone levels and production parameters of white leghorn exposed to heat stress

Abstract

Meteorological factors such as high ambient temperature and high relative humidity exert adverse effects on poultry production. Stressful stimuli, such as environmental, pathological and nutritional disturbances, to mention a few, can cause stress like impairing poultry performance and evoking the behavioural and physiological chain reactions. Thermal stress not only reduces production but also causes higher mortality in poultry thus, inflict considerable economic losses. In the present research investigation a possibility was explored to investigate the effect of ascorbic acid on corticosterone level and production parameters during heat stress in White Leghorn birds.A total of 96 White Leghorn birds were randomly divided and maintained in comfort (26±1.0 °C) and heat stressed (40±5.0 °C) conditions. Layers were divided into 4 groups and each group consisting of 12 birds in 2 replicates. G1 group was kept as control. G2, G3 and G4 group was supplemented with 100, 200 and 300 mg ascorbic acid (AA) respectively. The overall mean concentration of plasma HSP70 concentration showed non-significant difference between comfort and heat stressed birds. The overall mean concentration of corticosterone between comfort and heat stressed condition in egg type grower showed significant difference (p