1Department of Animal Science, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Sulaimani, Sulaimaniyah, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.
*Corresponding Author: Kurdo Omed Hama-Aziz, Department of Animal Science, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Sulaimani, Sulaimaniyah, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. Email: kurdo.hamaaziz@univsul.edu.iq
Oxidative stress impairs laying hen performance by disrupting the balance between reactive oxygen species and endogenous antioxidant defenses. Pomegranate by-products (molasses and peel) are rich in polyphenols and may strengthen antioxidant capacity in layers.
One hundred eighty Lohmann Sandy hens (52 wk) were randomly allotted to nine diets: control (T1), molasses at 0.5% (T2) and 1.0% (T3), peel at 1.0% (T4) and 2.0% (T5), and combinations (T6-T9). Diets were iso-nitrogenous/iso-caloric (17.5% CP; 2750 kcal/kg ME; 3.5% Ca). Blood was sampled at Weeks 52, 55 and 58 for superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and malondialdehyde (MDA) by ELISA. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA; means separated by Duncan’s test at P<0.01.
Relative to control (T1), 1.0% molasses (T3) produced the greatest improvements: SOD 101.85±2.10 vs 47.18±5.83 U·mL-1; CAT 32.66±4.92 vs 13.73±1.99 U·mL-1; GPx 40.82±0.85 vs 15.50±3.23 U·mL-1 and MDA 10.56±0.89 vs 23.96±1.36 nmol/mL (all P<0.01). Peel alone yielded moderate effects; combination diets showed intermediate responses.
Antioxidant enzymes, Laying hens, Malondialdehyde, Oxidative stress, Pomegranate molasses, Pomegranate peel
