The immunostimulant effect, antioxidant status, and growth performance of turmeric (Curcuma longa) feed supplementation in broiler chickens were evaluated by the determination of serum total protein, albumin, globulin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatinine, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol (TAG), serum immunoglobulins (IgA, IgM, and IgG), interferon-γ (INF-γ), and interleukin-10 (IL-10). Also, the malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione reduced (GSH), total superoxide dismutase (T.SOD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) levels in the thigh and breast muscles were evaluated. To achieve this objective, 120 Cobb of one-day-old chicks were allocated into four equal groups that kept as a control group that supplemented with the basal diet, Turmeric I (0.5% of basal diet), Turmeric II (1.0% of basal diet) and Turmeric III (1.5% of basal diet) groups. Turmeric significantly increased the serum total protein, globulin, immunoglobulins, INF-γ, IL-10, muscle GSH, T.SOD, and GST. Whereas, serum total cholesterol, TAG, and muscle MDA levels were significantly decreased. The obtained results stated that Turmeric I (0.5%) gives the best feed conversion ratio with less feed intake as compared with the other turmeric-treated and control groups with enhancement of immunity and antioxidant activities. Also, birds in Turmeric I group had a significant decline in breast and thigh muscles MDA that produce a meat product of high quality and health benefits for human consumption.
Key words: Broiler; Turmeric; Immunity; Antioxidant; Performance; Muscle malondialdehyde
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