Effect of ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol supplementation on plasma corticosterone and production performance of commercial broilers

The present investigation studies the effect of ascorbic acid (AA) and alpha-tocopherol supplementation on plasma corticosterone and production performance of broilers. Eighty four day-old broiler birds were randomly assigned into seven groups of 12 each, namely G₁, G₂, G₃, G₄, G₅, G₆ and G₇ maintained at 26±1.0°C. G₁ group was taken as control, whereas G₂, G₃ and G₄ groups were fed 100 mg/kg feed, 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg of ascorbic acid respectively with basal diet. Similarly, basal diet was supplemented with 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg of alpha-tocopherol in groups G₅, G₆ and G₇, respectively. Weekly record of feed intake was made for six weeks. Body weight, and feed efficiency ratio (FER) was recorded at 1^st, 3^rd, 6^th week. Lower (P<0.05) plasma corticosterone levels were recorded on supplementation of 200 mg and 300 mg of ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol respectively. Feed intake was significantly higher (P<0.05) in supplemented groups as compared to control. Body weight gain and FER was significantly higher (P<0.05) in groups supplemented with ascorbic acid at 200 mg/kg feed and alpha-tocopherol at 300 mg/kg. l. Therefore, it is concluded that supplementation of 200 mg/kg ascorbic acid and 300mg/kg of alpha tocopherol improve performance of commercial broilers.