Acumulative effect of sodium nitrate on some parameters of broiler chickens

الملخص EN

This study aims to clarify the accumulative effects of Sodium Nitrate at the level of 200 mg/lit that added to drinking water on broiler chicks.

120 of one-day-old broiler chicks (Hubbard Classic) were used.

They were divided into two equal groups using 3 replicates 20 chicks for each replicate in 49 days.

Group one (control) received just plain tap water.

Group two received 200 mg/lit Sodium Nitrate.

Weights were taken weekly.

Feed conversion ratio, dressing percentage, Liver weight, humoral immunity against Newcastle disease and liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured a couple of times during the experiment.

These two tests were done at 35 and 49 days old.

At the end of the experimental period (7 weeks old), liver and bursa of Fabricius were removed after slaughter for histological examination.

Results show no significant differences in feed conversion ratio and dressing percentage in both times.

Weekly body weight of sodium nitrate group was significantly decreased at (p≤0.05) in the sixth and seventh weeks.

A rate of liver weights and antibody titers of the second sets significantly decreased (p≤0.05) comparing with the control group at the 35 days test.

The levels antibody titers, AST and ALT of sodium nitrate group are significantly higher in 49 days old broiler chickens comparing with the 35 days old.

On the other hand, ALT of the second sets is significantly higher (p>0.05) comparing with the control group at the 49 days test.

Sodium Nitrate led to numerous histological lesions in liver and bursa of Fabricius in 49 days old broiler chickens.

In brief, Sodium nitrate consumption has a negative correlation with body weights, liver enzymes, and histological change.