Protective effects of an alfalfa aqueous extract on lead toxicity in broiler chickens: a biochemical approach

This investigation was carried out to evaluate protective activity of an aqueous extract of alfalfa (Alfa-mix) against lead acetate (LA)-induced toxicity in broilers during 42 days. Birds in normal control (NC) group were fed a basal diet; alfalfa extract (AE) group was fed a basal diet supplemented with Alfa-mix (18.64 %); LA-intoxicated (Pb) group was fed the basal diet and LA (400 ppm) in drinking water; and finally, AE + Pb group was fed a basal diet supplemented with Alfa-mix (18.64 %) and LA (400 ppm) in drinking water. Inclusion of LA tended to increase the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentration, atherogenic index, and coronary heart diseases index levels by 45.24 % and 100 %, 16.66 % compared to NC. Plasma total cholesterol (TC), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), and triglycerides (TGs) levels increased significantly after Alfa-mix feeding. The plasma levels of TC, LDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), VLDL-C, and TGs increased significantly in AE group compared with Pb group. Plasma calcium level altered in four groups, while phosphorus and iron levels did not alter among groups. Plasma calcium level in Pb group decreased significantly compared to AE + Pb group. The levels of urea, uric acid, creatinine, total protein, albumin, albumin/globulin ratio, and total, direct, and indirect bilirubin did not differ among groups. Lead intake only increased alkaline phosphatase activity compared to AE and AE + Pb groups. Aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) activities and AST/ALT ratio decreased in Pb group compared to NC group. However, only ALT activity and AST/ALT ratio in AE + Pb group decrease significantly in comparison to NC group. ALT activity and AST/ALT ratio decreased significantly in AE group compared to NC group. In conclusion, alfalfa extract has mild protective effects against lead toxicity in Ross broiler chickens.