Study the antioxidant status, immune response and growth performance in broiler chickens fed Hydroethanolic Saffron petals’ extract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of saffron petal extract on growth performance, carcass components, immune response and antioxidant status in broiler chicks. A total of 200 broiler chicks were distributed in 4 treatments including 5 replicates and 10 chicks per replicate. Dietary treatments were involved control group and the levels of 300, 500 and 700 milligrams of petal extract of saffron per kg diet (ppm). The broiler chicks were fed in three feeding periods including starter (0-10 days), grower (11-24 days), and finisher period (25-42 days) and as the same time the performance data including feed intake, body weight gain and FCR were recorded. For immune response, in the days of 14 and 35 days, sheep red blood cell were injected and the blood samples were gathered at 42 days. The data analysis were revealed that levels of 500 and 700 mg of hydroalcoholic extract of saffron increased body weight and reduced feed conversion ratio. The feed intake increased at level 500 and decreased at 700 levels as compared to control. Saffron petal extract at levels higher than 500 decreased the serum concentration of cholesterol, LDL blood and abdominal fat relative weight, and increased serum HDL and bursa of fabricus percentages compared to controls. Saffron petal hydroalcoholic extract increased the titer of secondary antibody against SRBC and antibody titer against Newcastle disease at 24 and 42 days at the levels of 500 and 700 mg Saffron petals’ extract, but the levels of extract did not affect the titer of IgM and IgG and the ratio of heterophil to lymphocyte. Saffron petal extract compared to control increased the activity of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase enzymes and reduced the activity of lactate dehydrogenase enzyme and the plasma concentration of malondialdehyde.