Metabolic profile and antioxidant status of ostriches receiving water supplemented with essential oil mixture of Zataria multiflora, Mentha piperita, Foeniculum vulgare and Eucalyptus globules

It is essential to maintain proper nutrition and increase the health of the ostrich flock during the fattening period to increase meat production and thus to reduce the cost of breeding. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of combined essential oils (containing an equal level of Zataria multiflora, Mentha piperita, Foeniculum vulgare and Eucalyptus globules essential oils) on the concentrations of blood metabolites and electrolytes, blood enzymes activity and antioxidant status of ostrich chicks from 5 to 7 months of age. A total of 18 ostriches were used in a completely randomized design with three treatments and six replicates (six birds). Experimental treatments were addition of 0 (control), 200 and 400 parts per million (ppm) combined essential oils (CEO) into drinking water. The results showed that addition of CEO into drinking water at 200 ppm significantly increased body weight gain compared to control group (P=0.019). Supplementation of drinking water with 400 ppm CEO resulted in higher concentration of uric acid and higher lipase activity in the serum (P<0.05). The higher blood glutathione peroxidase activity and lower serum malondialdehyde level were also observed in the birds receiving 200 and 400 ppm of CEO in their drinking water compared with that of the control birds (P<0.05). Moreover, serum total antioxidant capacity tended to be higher (P=0.085) in the ostriches receiving 200 and 400 ppm CEO compared with that of the control group. However, the blood values of total protein, albumin, globulin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, gamma glutamyltransferase, superoxide dismutase, amylase, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and chloride were not affected by experimental treatments (P<0.05). In conclusion, the results indicate that an addition of 200 ppm CEO into drinking water for ostrich chicks improves growth rate and antioxidant activities without impairing metabolic health status.