Effects of vitamin E and peppermint (Mentha piperita L) on blood biochemical parameters and antioxidant status in broiler chicks under transportation stress

 The present experiment aimed to investigate the effect of vitamin E and peppermint essential oil on body weight, yolk sac weight, serum antioxidant capacity, and blood biochemical parameters in broilers under transport stress at times one, four, and eight hrs. The first factor of additive (first group: positive control without additive, second group: negative control using olive oil, third group: vitamin E in the amount of 0.6 mg per chicken and the fourth group of feeding with peppermint essential oil in the amount of 0.5 mg per chick) and the second factor was the transfer time in three-time intervals of one, four and eight hours. The results showed that the use of vitamin E and peppermint essential oil did not have a significant effect on weight loss in chickens under transport stress. However, the use of vitamin E reduced the weight of the yolk sac compared to the positive control treatment (P<0.05). Transfer times of 1, 4 and 8 hours had no significant effect on body weight and yolk sac in broilers. The effect of vitamin E and peppermint essential oil on cholesterol, HDL, and LDL was not significant. Blood triglyceride levels showed a significant difference between treatments (P<0.05). The lowest serum triglyceride was observed in positive control chickens and peppermint. Serum triglyceride levels showed a significant difference between transfer times (P<0.05). The highest amount of triglyceride was observed in the first hour of transfer and the lowest amount of triglyceride was observed eight hours after transfer time. Serum glucose level was significantly affected by transfer time treatment (P<0.05). The highest blood glucose level was observed one hour after transfusion and the lowest at four hr. The effect of additive type on total serum protein content, malondialdehyde content, and antioxidant capacity was not significant. Vitamin E and peppermint essential oil had no significant effect on the activity of T3 and T4 hormones. According to the results of the present study, the use of vitamin E and peppermint essential oil had little effect on improving the antioxidant status and reducing the transport stress of chickens.