The role of lyophilized Aloe vera gel in growth, liver health, redox homeostasis, and enhancing resilience of broiler chicks to high-temperature conditions

Abstract

The Egyptian summer presents a challenging environment for poultry production due to elevated temperatures and humidity, which adversely affect bird performance and health. This study aimed to assess the in vivo antioxidant potential of varying dietary levels of lyophilized Aloe vera gel (LAV) and to examine its influence on growth performance, liver health, redox homeostasis, and enhancing resilience of broiler chickens reared under high-temperature conditions. A total of 180 unsexed Ross 308 broiler chicks, seven days old, were randomly assigned to six different diets (0, 25, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg LAV/kg of feed), with each diet group having 30 birds divided into five replicates of six chicks each. The trial spanned five weeks. Results demonstrated that dietary LAV supplementation significantly enhanced body weight gain and improved the digestibility of crude protein, lipids, and dry matter. Hematological parameters, including red blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, and packed cell volume, were also positively affected. LAV further improved the lipid profile and markedly elevated serum antioxidant indices, superoxide dismutase, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, and total antioxidant capacity, while significantly reducing malondialdehyde concentrations, indicating lower oxidative stress levels. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of lyophilized Aloe vera gel improved productive performance, hepatic and renal function, and antioxidant status in a dose-responsive manner. These enhancements contribute to improved oxidative balance and may support better health and performance in broilers exposed to high environmental stress.