Interactive effects of α-tocopheryl acetate and zinc supplementation on the antioxidant and immune systems of broilers

ABSTRACT

1. A total of 1440 one-day-old Ross 308 male broilers were allocated to 12 dietary treatments to evaluate dose-dependent effects of α-tocopheryl acetate (α-TOA) combined with zinc (Zn) supplementation on humoral and cellular immune responses, antioxidant enzymes, serum and hepatic contents of vitamins and minerals in broilers.

2. Three levels of supplemental α-TOA (0, 150 and 300 mg/kg) and 4 levels of Zn (0, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) were combined as a completely randomised design as a 3 × 4 factorial arrangement.

3. Concentrations of serum α-tocopherol and selenium were influenced by the interaction of α-TOA and Zn. The interaction of α-TOA and Zn affected malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in serum and liver (p < 0.05). Incremental amounts of supplemental Zn augmented the effects of α-TOA in reducing serum and hepatic MDA concentrations.

4. The interaction of α-TOA and Zn on antibody titres (p < 0.05) was such that increasing level of Zn at each α-TOA level led to a linear enhancement in antibody titre. Moreover, dietary supplementation with α-TOA and Zn resulted in an increase in relative weight of lymphoid organs (thymus, bursa, spleen; p < 0.05) along with an increase in humoral and cellular immune responses (p < 0.05).

5. In conclusion, α-TOA with Zn showed interactive effects in improving oxidative stability and humoral immune responses, which could result from their impact on the concentrations of antioxidant vitamins and minerals in tissues.

KEYWORDS:

• Alpha-tocopheryl acetate
• broiler
• immune response
• lipid peroxidation
• zinc

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge Ghaem livestock and poultry feed manufacture for their support. Our appreciation is also extended to Ontario government and The Estate of Mr. Edmund Cecil Williams for their financial support of the Ph.D. student in this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.