Studies on the effects of dietary supplementation of melatonin on serum metabolic profile in broiler chickens

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of the dietary melatonin supplementation on serum metabolic profile in broiler chickens. Day old commercial broiler chicks (240 Nos) weighing around 45-55g were procured and reared in common for 14 days. After 14 days of rearing, the broilers were divided randomly into four groups in triplicates with 20 birds in each group in three replicates. They were allotted to different dietary supplements; Group I comprised of control group fed basal diet; for Group II, the basal Diet was supplemented with Melatonin @ 20 mg/kg feed; for Group III, with Melatonin @ 30 mg/kg feed and for Group IV, with Melatonin @ 40 mg/kg feed. Blood samples were collected at 14th, 28th and 42nd day during morning hours and the serum samples were analysed for biochemical parameters. In the present study, the serum glucose levels and blood urea nitrogen values levels did not vary significantly among the groups. A significantly higher serum total protein levels were noted in Group III and IV at day 42 compared to the control group. The levels of serum cholesterol, triglycerides levels were significantly (p˂0.05) lower at day 42 in Group III and IV compared to Group I control. It is concluded that the supplementation of melatonin in the diet of broilers have positive influence on biochemical parameters.