Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Professor, Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. mahhad. iran
2 Dept. of Animal Science, College of Agr.Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
3 Graduated student from Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
4 Graduate, Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
Abstract
An experiment was conducted to assess the impact of various levels of pecan seed (Peganum harmala) powder (PSP) on the performance, blood biochemical parameters, and humoral immune system response of Ras-308 male broiler chickens. A total of 320 one-day-old chicks were divided into 4 treatments in a completely randomized design,. Experimental treatments were: control (0%), 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9% pecan seed powder (PSP) in the diet of chickens. The findings from this study revealed that as the concentration of pecan seed powder (PSP) increased, there was a decrease in growth, feed consumption, and carcass efficiency. Notably, a significant difference was observed between the group supplemented with pecan seed powder (PSP) and the control group (P<0.05).
Blood metabolite analysis revealed no significant alterations in most parameters. The liver experienced a significant increase in weight in PSP-supplemented birds (P<0.05), while the pancreas and spleen exhibited reduced weights (P<0.05) in the 0.9% PSP treatment. Humoral immune response, as measured by antibody titers, was not significantly affected by PSP supplementation. The findings suggest that PSP contains antinutritional factors and alkaloids, which may hinder its utility as a feedstuff in broiler diets. Its adverse effects on growth performance and organ weights warrant further investigation into its specific components and their impacts on broiler metabolism and genetic regulation. Therefore, for optimal use of this seed, measures should be taken to neutralize these anti-nutritional substances, and necessary additional tests should be performed on other animals, including rodents such as rats and birds such as quail.
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