Molecular-genetic and biochemical evaluation of the antioxidant status of broiler chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) using different phytobiotics in the diet

One of the key problems of poultry production is the fight against stresses of various etiologies, united by a single biological mechanism – accumulation of free radicals and oxidative stress. It has been established that vitagens play a significant role in the fight against oxidative stress, the transcriptional activity of which is increased under the influence of various nutritional factors, including phytobiotics. Based on this, the aim of the research was to analyze the expression of genes related to antioxidant defence (AOD) in broiler chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) when different phytobiotics are used in the diet and to compare the results obtained with the analysis of biochemical parameters of AOD in blood serum. A zootechnical experiment was carried out on broiler chickens of the cross Smena 9, in which the control group was fed the main diet and four experimental groups were fed the mixed feed with plant extracts of common chicory (Cichorium intubus L.), St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum L.), safflower (Rhaponticum carthamoides L.) and thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.). At 22 days of age, blood samples were taken for biochemical analysis, and at 26 days of age, liver samples were taken to assess the relative expression of SOD1 and PRDX6 genes by the 2^-ΔΔCT method, for which RNA isolation, reverse transcription and PCR-RT with the ‘housekeeping’ reference gene ACTB were performed. The results showed a 4.47-fold increase in SOD1 expression when chicory extract was used and 3.53-fold increase when St. John’s wort extract was used. At the same time, St. John’s wort flavonoids showed the most visible vitagen-stimulating effect, which was confirmed by the low variability of SOD1 expression and a decreased values of blood AOD indicators, indicating the possibility of limiting the use of other physiological mechanisms of free radical control by the organism. The results of the research will serve as a nutrigenomic justification for the development of the composition of a new phytocombination.

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