The inhibition of Securigera securidaca herb on the incidence of pulmonary hypertension in broiler chickens reared at high altitude

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of Securigera securidaca seed powder on carcass performance, blood and serum parameters, immune system and the expression of superoxide dismutase, nitric oxide synthase and endothelin-1 genes in the right ventricle of broiler chicks grown at a height of 2150 m above sea level. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with five treatments and four replications for 42 days. The experimental treatments included control group (without Securigera securidaca seed powder) and four levels of Securigera securidaca seed. The results showed that the addition of Securigera securidaca seed powder to feed increased the carcass and thigh efficiency and reduced heart efficiency and RV/TV ratio. (P<0.05). In treatments containing 3 or 4 grams of Securigera securidaca, the total protein and nitric oxide levels of serum were significantly increased, and malondialdehyde, urea and heterophile to lymphocyte ratio decreased significantly compared to the control group (P<0.05). Also, the effect of this herbal drug on the expression of right ventricle genes of the heart showed that 3 and 4 g levels of Securigera securidaca in the diet significantly increased the expression of nitric oxide synthase and superoxide dismutase genes, and a significant reduction of endothelin-1 gene expression in this tissue (P<0.05). the results of this study showed that the using of 3 or 4 (g/kg) of medicinal plant Securigera securidaca seed is effective in reducing the pulmonary hypertension in broilers by improving the antioxidant status, immunity and biochemical parameters of blood.