Effect of different vitamin E sources on growth performance, nutrient utilization, anti-oxidant status and carcass characteristics in broiler chicken

This study aimed to compare the efficacy of supplementation with a synthetic (DL-& alpha;-tocopherol acetate) or herbal source of vitamin E on performance of broiler chicken during a 35-days feeding trial. Day-old broiler chicks (180) were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups, each with three replicates. T1 (control) received a basal diet, Group T2 received a basal diet with synthetic vitamin E @ 100 g/quintal of feed, Group T3 received a basal diet with herbal vitamin E @ 100 g/quintal of feed and Group T4 received a basal diet with synthetic vitamin E @ 50 g/ quintal of feed + herbal vitamin E @ 50 g/quintal of feed. Supplementation of herbal vitamin E enhanced growth performance traits (average weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and economics of broiler production), retention of nutrients (dry matter, nitrogen, and ether extract), haematological parameters (Hb, PCV, and TEC) and serum total cholesterol in broiler chicks. Antioxidant status revealed significant increase in GSH but not SOD and CAT. A marked increase in the antibody titer against Newcastle Disease vaccine was recorded in the herbal vitamin E supplemented group. The carcass quality was statistically similar among different dietary treatments, however, lowest abdominal fat and meat cholesterol were recorded in the group supplemented with herbal vitamin E. The study depicts that dietary supplementation of synthetic or herbal vitamin E and their combination @ 100 g/quintal of feed improved the growth performance, antioxidant status and carcass quality of broiler chickens; and that herbal vitamin E was economical and more effective as compared to the synthetic vitamin E in improving the performance of broiler chickens.