Effects of Enalapril on growth Performance, Ascites Mortality, Antioxidant Status and Blood Parameters in Broiler Chickens under Cold-Induced Ascites

Six hundred 1-d-old male broilers (Ross 308) were assigned to four experimental groups; each was composed of 5 floor pen replications of 30 birds including control (no enalapril), 15, 30 and 60 ppm enalapril in the drinking water. From d 21 to 49, all the chicks were exposed to low ambient temperature to induce ascites. Mortalities were inspected to determine the cause of death and diagnose of ascites. At the end of the experiment (wk 7), 2 chickens from each replicate were randomly selected and slaughtered. Body weight gains (BWG), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated. Plasma protein, glucose, red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), triglyceride, high density lipoprotein (HDL), malondialdehyde (MDA), activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate transferase (AST), alanine transferase (ALT), creatine kinase (CK), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were also determined. Results showed that enalapril for 30 and 60 ppm, significantly improved FCR and enhanced BWG when measured at day 49. These levels of enalapril compared to the other groups, significantly reduced MDA level and GPx activity, but increased T-AOC and SOD activity in plasma. Moreover, enalapril at levels of 30 and 60 ppm, significantly reduced AST, ALP and CK activities in plasma. Mortality due to ascites and right to total ventricular weight ratio (RV/TV) were significantly low in groups received enalapril at greater levels (≥30 ppm). Compared to the control, enalapril increased HDL. In conclusion, enalapril could improved growth performance and reduced mortality in broilers.