ABSTRACT:
The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of turmeric
(TU), hot pepper (HP) and/or fenugreek (FE), as phytogenic in laying feed
on reproductive performance, some blood parameters and liver histological
status in aged laying hens. A total of 165 hens of Sinai local strains and 33
males, at 59 weeks of age were housed in laying nests in an open‐sided
building under a 16‐hr light: 8‐hr dark lighting schedule. Hens were
randomly separated into two experiments; A and B. Experiment A contained
7 treatments. Treatments were: (T1) control (basal diet without any
supplementation); (T2) 1 g/kg of turmeric; (T3) 2.5 g/kg of turmeric; (T4) 1
g/kg of hot pepper; (T5) 2 g/kg of hot pepper; (T6) combination of 1 g/kg
turmeric and 1 g/kg hot pepper; (T7) blending of 1 g/kg turmeric and 2 g/kg
hot pepper for 59 to 74 weeks of age. While, experiment B contained 4
groups: (G1) 1 g/kg of fenugreek; (G2) 2 g/kg of fenugreek; (G3)
combination of 1 g/kg turmeric and 1 g/kg fenugreek; (G4) blending of 1
g/kg turmeric and 2 g/kg fenugreek. Three replicates in each treatment,
including 5 females plus male in nest. The results showed that hen fertility
improved significantly (p < 0.05) by dietary supplemented with a mixture of
TU+HP (T6 and T7) TU+FE (G4). While, that improvement was not
significant with adding turmeric, hot pepper and fenugreek alone.
Hatchability percentage of fertile eggs or to total eggs increased statistically
(p < 0.05) in treatments T7 and G4. Interestingly, adding a mix of turmeric
with hot pepper or fenugreek to hen diets achieved the best records of chick
weight, fertility, or hatchability among the experimental period. Inclusion
mixed of TU plus HP (T6 and T7) to hen diets significantly enhanced serum
total protein and globulin followed by treatments with blends of TU plus FE
(G3 and G4), while treatments on HP, TU or FE came after them. All hen
groups fed dietary additives had significantly (p < 0.05) decreased serum
triglycerides, cholesterol, and total lipids. Also, hen groups ingested
mixtures of TU with HP or FE had the best effects on these blood
parameters. In the line with reproduction performance, histological
Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 35 (9) 2020 81-103
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observations of liver tissue revealed that supplementing hen diets with
blends of TU plus HP or FE (T6 and G3) showed normal histomorphological
features, with pretty histo-architecture of liver tissue, normal
hepatocytes and portal area, after that treatment provided by FE (G2 and G1 )
and TU (T3). While, adding 0.1 % Hp (T4) for hen diet had a moderate effect
(not severe) for a normal liver.
It could be concluded that inclusion of mix of TU with HP or FE in
the diets of aged laying hens improved laying reproduction, blood
parameters and have hepato-protective  nature and beneficial effect on the
liver morphology