Tissues chemical composition and quality in broiler chickens when using an adaptogenic complex

To study the effect of a newly developed adaptogenic complex on the chemical composition of muscle and bone tissues, as well as on the quality and process characteristics of the broiler chickens breast and thigh muscles, an experiment was conducted on 3 groups of the broiler chickens in the physiological ward of the Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry named after Academy Member L. K. Ernst (n = 40, N = 120) (1 control group and 2 experimental groups) under conditions of increased stocking density. The poultry from the experimental groups received the DHQEC complex with their diet (the 2^nd experimental group started receiving it from the 22^nd day of life, i.e., from the day of the onset of simulated overcrowded environmental conditions; the 3^rd experimental group started receiving it from the 7th day of their life). On the day 34^th (n = 10, N = 20) and 52^nd (n = 10, N = 20) of age, the samples of the breast and thigh muscles and the tibia bones were collected. The chemical composition, as well as several quality and process properties of the meat were determined. The administration of DHQEC for 34 days of the poultry life contributed to an increase in fat content in the breast muscle from 0.74 % in the control group up to 1.03 % and 1.17 % in the experimental groups, respectively; an increase in the pH of muscle tissue; an increase in the water-holding capacity (WHC) of the breast (p < 0.01) and thigh (p < 0.01) tissues; and elevated levels of reduced glutathione (at p < 0.05 and p < 0.01) and superoxide dismutase (at p < 0.01) compared to the control group values. In the liver of the poultry that received DHQEC, an increase in the level of water-soluble antioxidants was observed, whereas in the cardiac muscle, conversely, a decrease was noted. At the 52^nd day of age, the trend of differences between the groups persisted. A significant difference was found in phosphorus content (it was lower in the control group) (p < 0.05) and magnesium content (it was lower in the 3^rd experimental group) (p < 0.05), which may be associated with the impact of stress and its mitigation by the DHQEC complex. The most pronounced effect of the complex was observed when it was introduced into the diet from the 7^th day of the poultry life. The obtained data open broad prospects for the inclusion of the DHQEC complex into broiler chicken diets, particularly during periods of stress exposure from the first days of life.

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