Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of adding aluminum sulfate to different litters on blood plasma concentrations of some principal microelements and some vitamins in broilers. In this experiment, 645 day old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly divided into 4 litter group (straw, sawdust, alum treated-straw and alum treated-sawdust). At the end of the experiment 10 birds (5 male + 5 female) from each of the groups were slaughtered by severing the jugular vein and sampled by taking the blood. Blood plasma concentrations of vitamin A (retinol), vitamin E (α-tocoferol), Co, Zn and Cu were determined. Body weight measured at 6 week of age. Blood plasma Zn, Cu concentrations did not differ significantly (P < 0.05) among treatments, but the broilers reared in the control straw group showed lower Co concentration. The vitamin A and E levels in the serum of the broilers in the straw and saw dust groups were slightly lower than the other groups. The body weight of female in the alum treated groups at the end of the experiment was significantly higher than control groups. The body weight of male in the alum treated-sawdust group at the end of the experiment was significantly higher than the other groups. It could be concluded that amending aluminum sulfate to different litters adversely affected blood plasma concentrations and body weight of broiler.

Key words: Litter, aluminum sulfate, broiler, trace element, vitamin.