Effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. on Immune Function and Liver Activity of Ross 308 Broiler Chickens

In this study, the effect of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum </em>L.</em>) seed powder and aqueous extract on growth performance, immunity, and liver activity in the ROSS 308 broiler were investigated. A total of 270 day-old broiler chicks were randomly divided into 9 groups (n=30), with three replicate, T1 </sub>(control group) fed with a basal diet, T2 </sub>fed with basal diet added to Immunofin®, and T3 </sub>fed with basal diet added to HEPARENOL® in drinking water based on a producer recommended methods. Other 6 groups, were fed with basal diet added to 3 different level of fenugreek seed powder: T4</sub> (0.1%), T5</sub> (0.2%), T6 (0.3%) and 3 different level of extract in drinking water: T7</sub> (0.1%), T8</sub> (0.2%) and T9</sub> (0.3%) and All groups were used during 42 days of rearing. To evaluate antibody titers against Newcastle disease, Avian Influenza, and Gambro vaccines, Hemagglutination Inhibition and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay tests were performed. Administration of fenugreek seed extract and powder according to recommended doses had no significant effect on growth performance; however, it had a significant effect on the antibody levels and the levels of Alanine Aminotransferase and Aspartate Aminotransferase enzymes that highly increase in liver disorder, were significantly decreased by aqueous extract of fenugreek seed in 0.2% and 0.3% (P ≤0.05). Overall, the present study showed that aqueous extract and seed powder of fenugreek could be used as a new approach to increase the level of immunity and to improve liver activity in broilers.