Effect of an aloe preparation and 5-oxo-1,2,4-triazine on the redox profile of the blood of turkey hens subjected to stress

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine whether the introduction of stress affects corticosterone and malonyl dialdehyde levels and antioxidant indices of the blood of turkey hens, and whether additives used in conjunction with stress, such as aloe extract supplemented with trans-resveratrol and vitamin C or the amidrazone derivative 5-oxo-1,2,4-triazine, can mitigate adverse changes that may occur in these parameters. The experiment was carried out on 360 turkey hens allocated randomly to 6 groups of 60 birds each. Groups C and C(+)stress were the control groups and did not receive any additive. Birds from groups A and A(+)stress were administered aloe extract with the addition of trans-resveratrol and vitamin C in the amount of 0.70 ml/kg body weight (BW)/day. The turkey hens from groups T and T(+)stress received 5-oxo-1,2,4-triazine in the amount of 30 μg/kg BW/day. Blood tests included determination of the content of corticosterone and malonyl dialdehyde (MDA), total plasma antioxidant potential (FRAP) and vitamin C, as well as activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (PGx). The blood serum samples were also analysed for levels of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and iron (Fe) by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The stress factors applied resulted in a significant increase in the level of corticosterone and MDA and in SOD and CAT activity in the blood plasma of the turkey hens. A significant decrease in the level of vitamin C and total plasma antioxidant potential were also recorded in the birds treated with stress. The aloe preparation supplemented with trans-resveratrol and vitamin C caused a significant increase in vitamin C, FRAP, Fe and Cu, and a decrease in the corticosterone and MDA levels in the blood plasma of the turkey hens, while in the blood plasma of birds treated with 5-oxo-1,2,4-triazine a significant increase was noted in superoxide dismutase activity and a decrease in the malonyl dialdehyde level. In order to alleviate the negative effect of stress, supplementation of diets with aloe extract supplemented with resveratrol and vitamin C may be considered.