Dietary methanol extract of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) can help reduce the negative impacts of triiodothyronine-induced ascites in broiler chickens.

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of purslane methanol extract (PME) on broilers suffering from triiodothyronine (T₃)-induced ascites. A total of 240 one-day-old chicks were divided into four dietary treatment groups: a control diet, a T₃ diet (1.5 mg/kg), a T₃ diet added with 150 mg/kg PME, and a T₃ diet added with 300 mg/kg PME. Results indicated that the T₃-treated birds exhibited a higher right ventricle to total ventricle (RV/TV) ratio and increased mortality due to ascites, alongside reduced feed intake, body weight gain, and production efficiency index, while showing a higher feed conversion ratio compared with controls. Despite the lack of significant enhancement in growth performance due to dietary PME supplementation, the group that was administered a diet with 300 mg/kg PME demonstrated an improved production efficiency index, as well as decreased mortality and a reduced RV/TV ratio. Additionally, the birds subjected to T₃ treatment displayed diminished activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase), in conjunction with elevated malondialdehyde levels compared with the control birds. Supplementation with 300 mg/kg PME increased antioxidant enzyme activities and lowered malondialdehyde concentrations to near control levels. Furthermore, T₃ treatment led to elevated red blood cell counts, hematocrit, hemoglobin, and heterophil to lymphocyte ratio, which were significantly mitigated by PME supplementation. To conclude, PME effectively mitigates the adverse effects of T₃-induced ascites in broilers by enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity and improving production efficiency, suggesting its potential as a dietary supplement in poultry production.