ABSTRACT

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of Panax ginseng extracts (PGEs) and ascorbic acid (AA) in the management of heat load in finisher broiler chickens in hot humid environment. A total of 225 Anak broiler finisher chickens were used in the experiment and were randomly assigned to treatment groups of 45 birds per treatment with 3 replicates of 15 birds per replicate. The treatment groups were as follows: T1 (Control), T2 (200mg AA), T3 (Composite mixture of 100mg AA: 100mg PGEs), T4 (200mg of PGEs) and T5 (300mg PGEs). PGEs at 200mg significantly increased packed cell volume in T4 (27.65%) showing possible increase in blood formation. The recorded value of white blood cell in T4 (2.97 x10³/µl) and T3 (2.78 x10³/µl), which is within normal range shows that PGEs at 200mg single oral administration or when mixed at 100mg PGEs: 100mg AA enhanced the cellular immunity of the mature broiler chickens. The significantly (P<0.05) increased values of lymphocytes in T5 (81.57%); T4 (46.47%); T3 (38.43) and T2 (38.78%) suggested that single oral administration of AA and PGEs or combined administration could induce antigen response in broiler chickens exposed to increased heat load. The significantly (P<0.01) low value of globulin recorded in T1 (0.83mg/dl) indicated a reduction in the disease-fighting ability of the body system which could result in high mortality. T4 and T5 similarly recorded significantly low (P<0.05) mean values in oxidative stress markers of homocystein (10.25ng/ml and 8.58ng/ml respectively); adrenocorticotrophic hormone (1.96ng/ml and 1.67ng/ml respectively) and triiodothyronine (0.76ng/ml and 0.58ng/ml respectively); probably suggestive of a synergestic effect to reduce heat production. The average liver weight of the experimental broiler chickens was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the control group T(5.27g) than in T3 (3.76g), T2 (3.06g), T5 (2.76g) and T4 (2.52g) suggesting that apart from AA having a protective effect on the liver, combining it with PGEs could enhance its protective effects during periods of heat load in hot humid environment. The non-significant values (P>0.05) of linear body traits obtained in this result implies that oral administration of AA and PGEs had no significant influence on linear body traits of broiler chickens exposed to heat load. The lower significant (P<0.05) values of mortality recorded in T3 (5.83%), T4 (6.00%) and T5 (6.01%) suggested that PGEs have a positive effect on the immune modulators and hence, it is recommended for use at combined level of 100mg AA: 100mg PGEs ratio or administered singly at 200mg in the management of heat load to enhance production, blood characteristics, stimulating antibody responses to immunization against various pathogens in organic broiler production in hot humid environment.