Blood biochemistry and stress biomarkers of broiler chickens supplemented with different levels of Yucca schidigera saponins reared under tropical conditions

The primary goal of this study was to determine the impacts of supplementing varying amounts of Y. schidigera saponins on the blood biochemistry and stress biomarkers of broiler chickens raised in tropical settings. A total of 300 male day-old Ross 308 broilers were randomly assigned to six treatment groups. Treatment 1 broiler chickens were fed commercial diets with no added additives, whereas treatment 2 broiler chickens were offered commercial diets containing 100 mg/kg of the antibiotic oxytetracycline. Treatments 3, 4, 5, and 6 broiler chickens received similar commercial diets supplemented with 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg of powdered Y. Shidigera saponins, respectively, without antibiotics. On day 42, six broilers from each treatment were randomly selected, slaughtered, and blood samples were collected for serum lipid profile, liver function,acute phase proteins, hormone, and heat shock protein analyses. There were notable changes (P < 0.05) in the serum lipid profile, acute phase proteins, hormone, and heat shock protein among treatments. Broilers treated with 100 mg/kg of Y.Shidigera saponins in T6 showed the lowest levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations while having the highest high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level without affecting the liver parameters. Moreover, the serum amyloid A, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, corticosterone, and heat shock protein 70 concentrations were also the lowest as compared to the other treatments. In conclusion, supplementing 100 mg/kg of Y. Shidigera saponins in broiler diets could improve lipid profiles and act as an anti-stress for commercial broilers raised in tropical regions.