The Effect of Grape Seed Extract Supplementation on Performance, Antioxidant Enzyme Activity, and Immune Responses in Broiler Chickens Exposed to Chronic Heat Stress

The effect of grape seed extract (GSE) feed supplementation on performance, antioxidant enzyme activity, and immune responses in broiler chickens suffering from heat stress were investigated in this study. Experimental diets including control diet (with no additive), 3 levels of GSE (150, 300, 450 mg/kg), and one level of vitamin C (300 mg/kg) as a positive control were fed to the birds from 1 to 42 d of age. The chronic heat stress (34±1 ˚C temperature for 5 hours per day) was provided from 29 to 42 d of age. The GSE supplementation up to 300 mg/kg diet increased the average daily gain of broiler chickens compared to the control group prior to heat stress (1-28 d). During the heat stress condition, dietary GSE at the rate of 300 and 450 mg/kg diet improved feed conversion ratio. The GSE supplementation at 300 mg/kg diet increased IgG titer as a primary and secondary response to sheep red blood cell (SRBC) injection. In addition, birds fed diet with GSE (150, 300, 450 mg/kg diet), or vitamin C (300 mg/kg diet) had higher levels of IgG titers as a secondary responses to SRBC. The GSE supplementation at the rate of 300 and 450 mg/kg diet reduced heterophil percent, heterophil/lymphocyte ratio, and increased the percentage of lymphocyte of broilers under heat stress. Supplementation of diet with GSE (300, 450 mg/kg diet) increased glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in birds under heat stress condition. The GSE or vitamin C supplementation did not affect the results of cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity (CBH) response, and relative weights of spleen and bursa of fabricius in chickens under heat stress. However, supplementation of diet with GSE (300, 450 mg/kg diet) or vitamin C (300 mg/kg diet) increased relative weight of thymus in birds under heat stress condition. Thus, GSE supplementation could alleviate the detrimental effects of heat stress in broiler chickens better than vitamin C and it is preferable for the health and economic goals since it is a natural waste by-product.