Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Production performance, haematological parameters, serum biochemistry, and expression of HSP-70 in broiler chickens fed dietary ascorbic acid during heat stress

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
International Journal of Biometeorology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

An experiment was carried out to assess the efficacy of supplemental ascorbic acid (AA) on broiler chicken production performance, blood haematological profile, biochemical profile, and carcass traits under heat stress conditions. A total of 192-day-old broiler chicks were divided into four groups, each with six replicates of eight each (4 × 6 × 8). Four corn-based dietary treatments were formulated: T1 (control diet), T2 (T1 + AA at 200 mg/kg), T3 (T1 + AA at 400 mg/kg), and T4 (T1 + AA at 600 mg/kg) for a period of 42 days. Despite the high temperature and humidity, the 600 mg AA supplemental groups (T4) gained significantly (P ≤ 0.05) more body weight and had a higher feed intake and better feed conversion ratio (FCR) than the control group (T1). After 28 days of feeding the three AA-supplemented diets, antibody titres (humoral immune response) were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05). The response to intradermally injected phyto-haemagglutinin (PHA-P), an index of the in vivo cell-mediated immune response, was found to be increased (P ≤ 0.05) in the 400 and 600 mg AA-supplemented groups after 35 days. Higher levels of AA (T4) supplementation significantly (P ≤ 0.05) improved haematological values such as haemoglobin (Hb), total erythrocyte count (TEC), total leukocyte count (TLC), and differential leukocyte count (DLC), heterophil:lymphocyte (H:L) in comparison to the control group (T1). The supplemented group improved the serum biochemical profile of the birds, with an increase (P ≤ 0.05) in total serum protein, albumin, and globulin and a decrease in serum cholesterol and corticosterone levels in the T4 group compared to the control group. Heat shock protein-70 (HSP-70) was gradually elevated after increasing the ascorbic acid concentration (P ≤ 0.05) at 14 and 21 days. As a result, it can be concluded that supplementing ascorbic acid at 600 mg/kg is beneficial for improving the performance, immunity, and blood haematological biochemical profile and upregulating the HSP-70 gene of broiler chickens under heat stress conditions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

Data sharing is not applicable to this article.

References

  • Abdel-Moneim AE, Shehata AM, Khidr RE, Paswan VK, Ibrahim NS, El-Ghoul AA (2021) Nutritional manipulation to combat heat stress in poultry-a comprehensive review. J Therm Biol 98:102915. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtherbio.2021.102915

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Abidin Z, Khatoon A (2013) Heat stress in poultry and the beneficial effects of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) supplementation during periods of heat stress. World’s Poult Sci J 69(01):135–152

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abo Ghanima MM, Abd El-Hack ME, Othman SI, Taha AE, Allam AA, Eid Abdel-Moneim AM (2020) Impact of different rearing systems on growth, carcass traits, oxidative stress biomarkers, and humoral immunity of broilers exposed to heat stress. Poult Sci 99:3070–3078. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2020.03.011

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Abudabos AM, Al-Owaimer AN, Hussein EOS, Ali MH (2018) Effect of natural vitamin C on performance and certain haemato-biochemical values in broiler chickens exposed to heat stress. J Anim Plant Sci 28(2):441–448

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Akasaka K (2013) Simple determination of L-ascorbic acid on TLC by visual detection using autocatalytic reaction. Anal Sci 29(5):505–509

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Akbarian A, Michiels J, Degroote J, Majdeddin M, Golian A, De Smet S (2016) Association between heat stress and oxidative stress in poultry; mitochondrial dysfunction and dietary interventions with phytochemicals. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 7:1–14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-016-0097-5

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Altan O, Pabuçcuoğlu A, Altan A, Konyalioğlu S, Bayraktar H (2003) Effect of heat stress on oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation and some stress parameters in broilers. Br Poult Sci 44(4):545–550

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • AOAC (1995) Official methods of analysis, 16th edn. Association of Official Analytical Chemist. Arlington, V. A.

  • Bedanova I, Voslarova E, Vecereck V, Strakova E, Suchy P (2003) The haematological profile of broilers under acute and chronic heat stress at 30±1°C level. Folia Vetaria 47(4):188–192

    Google Scholar 

  • BIS (2007) Indian Standard, Poultry Feeds specifications. Bureau of Indian Standards, 4th Review. Manak Bhawan, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi, India

  • Biswas P, Sharma RK, Biswas A, Kar I (2020) Effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and vitamin c on hematological profile and carcass traits of broiler birds. Int J Curr Microbiol App Sci 9(10):783–791

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Borges SA, das Fischer Silva AV, Majork A, Hooge DM, Cummings KR (2004) Physiological response of broiler chicks to heat stress and dietary electrolyte balance (sodium plus potassium minus chloride milli Equivalent per kilogram). Poult Sci 83:1551–1558

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Campo JL, Davila SG (2002) Changes in heterophil to lymphocyte ratio of heat stressed chickens in response to dietary supplementation of several related stress agents. Archiv Fur Geflugelkunde 66(2):80–84

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chand N, Naz S, Khan A, Khan S, Khan RU (2014) Performance traits and immune response of broiler chicks treated with zinc and ascorbic acid supplementation during cyclic heat stress. Int J Biometeorol 58:2153–2157. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-014-0815-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chand N, Naz S, Maris H, Khan RU, Khan S, Qureshi MS (2017) Effect of betaine supplementation on the performance and immune response of heat stressed broilers. Pakistan J Zool 49:1857–1862

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Corrier DE, Deloach JR (1990) Evaluation of cell-mediated, cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity in young chickens by an inter digital skin test. Poult Sci 69(3):403–408. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.0690403

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Das R, Sailo L, Verma N, Bharti P, Saikia J, Imtiwati, Kumar R (2016a) Impact of heat stress on health and performance of dairy animals: a review. Vet World 9(3):260–268. https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2016.260-268

  • Das D, Sen C, Goswami A (2016b) Effect of Vitamin C on adrenal suppression by etomidate induction in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a randomized controlled trial. Ann Card Anaesth 19(3):410–417. https://doi.org/10.4103/0971-9784.185522

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Douglas RM, Hemilä H, Chalker E, Treacy B (2007) Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 18(3):CD000980. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD000980.pub3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duncan B (1955) Multiple range and multiple F tests. Biometrics 11:1–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Emami NK, Jung U, Voy B, Dridi S (2020) Radical response: effects of heat stress-induced oxidative stress on lipid metabolism in the avian liver. Antioxidants 10:35. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10010035

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Godde C, Mason-D’Croz D, Mayberry D, Thornton P, Herrero M (2021) Risk of climate-related impacts on the livestock sector: a review of the evidence. Glob Food Sec 28:100488. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gfs.2020.100488vspace

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan O, Avci M, Yertürk M (2005) Effects of ascorbic acid on the performance and some blood parameters of Japanese quails reared under hot climate conditions. Turkish J Vet Anim Sci 29(3):829–833

    Google Scholar 

  • Kataoka H (2021) Chloride in heart failure syndrome: its pathophysiologic role and therapeutic implication. Cardiol Ther 10(2):407–428. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40119-021-00238-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khan RU, Naz S, Dhama K (2014) Chromium: pharmacological applications in heat stressed poultry. Int J Pharmacol 10:213–317. https://doi.org/10.3923/ijp.2014.213.217

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kpomasse CC, Oyegunle EO, Houndonougbo FM, Tona K (2021) Broiler production challenges in the tropics: a review. Vet Med Sci 7(3):831–832. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.435

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumari D, Mishra SK, Lather D (2015) Effect of supplementation of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on haemato-biochemical parameters of salmonella gallinarum infected broiler chickens. Haryana Vet 54(1):1–6

  • Li Y, Schellhorn HE (2007) New developments and novel therapeutic perspectives for vitamin C. J Nutri 137(10):2171–2184

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lin H, Jiao HC, Buyse J, Decuypere E (2006) Strategies for preventing heat stress in poultry. World Poult Sci J 62:71–85

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lohakare JD, Chae BJ, Hann TW (2004) Effect of feeding methods (water vs. feed) of vitamin c on growth performance and carcass characteristics in broiler chicken. Asian-Aus J Anim Sci 17(8):1112–1117

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mahmoud KZ, Edens FW, Eisen EJ, Havenstein GB (2004) Ascorbic acid decreases heat shock protein-70 and plasma corticosterone response in broilers (Gallus gallus domesticus) subjected to cyclic heat stress. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 137(1):35–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpc.2003.09.013

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mariana AP, Luigi FLC, Fabio LBT (2018) Effect of vitamin E supplementation on growth performance, meat quality, and immune response of male broiler chickens: a meta-analysis. Livestock Sci 208:5–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2017.11.021

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marik PC (2020) Vitamin C: an essential ‘stress hormone’ during sepsis. J Thorac Dis 12(1):S84–S88. https://doi.org/10.21037/jtd.2019.12.64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mayer M, Bukau B (2005) HSP-70 chaperones: cellular functions and molecular mechanism. Cell Mol Life Sci 62:670–684

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McRae MP (2008) Vitamin C supplementation lowers serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides: a meta-analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials. J Chiropr Med 7(2):48–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcme.2008.01.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mehmet AVCI (2005) Effects of ascorbic acid on the performance and some blood parameters of Japanese quails reared under hot climate. Turk J Vet Anim Sci 29:829–833

    Google Scholar 

  • Mishra LC, Singh BB, Dagenais S (2000) Scientific basis for the therapeutic use of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha): a review. Altern Med Rev 5(4):334–346

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mishra A, Patel P, Jain A, Shakkarpude J, Sheikh AA (2019) Effect of ascorbic acid supplementation on corticosterone levels and production parameters of white leghorn exposed to heat stress. Int J Chem Stud 7(6):930–934

    Google Scholar 

  • Nagra SS, Sodhi S, Singh Y (2006) Effect of herbal and synthetic ascorbic acid supplementation in broiler chicks during heat stress. Indian J Anim Nutri 23(4):247–249

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • NRC (1994) Nutrient Requirements of Poultry, 9th edn. National Academy Press Washington, D.C.

  • Omaye ST, Turnbull JD, Sauberlich HE (1979) Selected methods for the determination of ascorbic acid in animal cells, tissues, and fluids. Methods Enzymol 62:3–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/0076-6879(79)62181-x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Padayatty SJ, Levine M (2016) Vitamin C: the known and the unknown and Goldilocks. Oral Dis 22:463–493. https://doi.org/10.1111/odi.12446

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pandey KB, Rizvi SI (2010) Markers of oxidative stress in erythrocytes and plasma during aging in humans. Oxid Med Cell Longev 3(1):2–12. https://doi.org/10.4161/oxim.3.1.10476

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patak P, Willenberg HS, Bornstein SR (2004) Vitamin C is an important cofactor for both adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla. Endocrinol Res 30(4):871–875. https://doi.org/10.1081/erc-200044126

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pfaffl MW, Horgan GW, Dempfle L (2002) Relative expression software tool (REST) for group-wise comparison and statistical analysis of relative expression results in real-time PCR. Nucleic Acids Res 30:e36. https://doi.org/10.1093/nar/30.9.e36

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Purohit GK, Mahanty A, Mohanty BP, Mohanty S (2015) Evaluation of housekeeping genes as references for quantitative real-time PCR analysis of gene expression in the murrel Channa striatus under high-temperature stress. Fish Physiol Biochem 42(1):125–135. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-015-0123-0

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Puthpongsiriporn U, Scheideler SE, Sell JL, Beck MM (2001) Effects of vitamin E and C supplementation on performance, in vitro lymphocyte proliferation, and antioxidant status of laying hens during heat stress. Poult Sci 80:1190–1200

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Puvadolpirod S, Thaxton JP (2000) Model of physiological stress in chickens 2. Dosimetry of Adrenocorticotropin. Poult Sci 79:370–376

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ramnathm V, Rekha PS, Sujatha KS (2008) Amelioration of heat stress induced disturbances of antioxidant defense system in chicken by Brahma Rasayana. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 5(1):77–84. https://doi.org/10.1093/ecam/nel116

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roussan DA, Khwaldeh GY, Haddad RR, Shaheen IA, Salameh G, Al Rifai R (2008) Effect of ascorbic acid, acetylsalicylic acid, sodium bicarbonate, and potassium chloride supplementation in water on the performance of broiler chickens exposed to heat stress. J Appl Poult Res 17:141–144

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sahin K, Sahin N, Onderci M, Gursu MF, Issi M (2003) Vitamin C and E can alleviate negative effects of heat stress in Japanese quails. Food Agric Environ 1(2):244–249

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Seyrek K, Yenisey C, Serter M, Kargin KF, Ulutas PA, Bardakcioglu HE (2004) Effect of dietary Vitamin C supplementation on some serum biochemical parameters of laying Japanese quails exposed to heat stress. Revue Med Vet 155(6):339–342

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tuleun CD, Njoku PC (2000) Effect of supplemental ascorbic acid and disturbance stress on the performance of broiler chickens. Nigeria J Anim Production 27:55–58

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van der Zijpp AJ (1983) The effect of genetic origin, source of antigen, and dose of antigen on the immune response of cockerels. Poult Sci 62:205–211. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.0620205

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Hieu T, Guntoro B, Qui NH, Quyen NTK, Al Hafiz FA (2022) The application of ascorbic acid as a therapeutic feed additive to boost immunity and antioxidant activity of poultry in heat stress environment. Vet World 15(3):685–693. https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2022.685-693

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vathana S, Kang K, Loan CP, Thinggaard G, Kabasa JDU, ter Meulen (2002) Effect of vitamin C supplementation on performance of broiler chickens. Paper presented in conference “International Agriculture Research for Development” in Cambodia, Deutscher Tropentag 2002 Witzenhausen

  • Wasti S, Sah N, Mishra B (2020) Impact of heat stress on poultry health and performances, and potential mitigation strategies. Animals 10(8):1266. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10081266

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whitehead CC, Keller T (2003) An update on ascorbic acid in poultry. Worlds Poult Sci J 59(2):161–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yan J, Bao E, Yu J (2009) Heat shock protein 60 expression in heart, liver and kidney of broilers exposed to high temperature. Res Vet Sci 86:533–538

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors are appreciative to the employees of the ICAR-Central Avian Research Institute’s Division of Avian Nutrition and Feed Technology for their cooperation in conducting the tests.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Nutrition and Feed Technology, ICAR-Central Avian Research Institute, Izatnagar, 243 122, India

    Avishek Biswas, Chandra Deo & Divya Sharma

  2. Division of Physiology and Reproduction, ICAR-Central Avian Research Institute, Izatnagar, 243 122, India

    Ansari Matin & Ashok Kumar Tiwari

Authors
  1. Avishek Biswas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Chandra Deo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Divya Sharma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ansari Matin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Ashok Kumar Tiwari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

The author wrote the main text of the manuscript. The co-authors collected the data and contributed to the design and the drafting of the paper. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Avishek Biswas.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Biswas, A., Deo, C., Sharma, D. et al. Production performance, haematological parameters, serum biochemistry, and expression of HSP-70 in broiler chickens fed dietary ascorbic acid during heat stress. Int J Biometeorol 68, 33–43 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-023-02568-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-023-02568-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation