Investigations on the effects of artichoke (<i>Cynara Cardunculus</i> var. <i>Scolymus</i>) extract on 35 – 42 days blood lipid parameters of broiler chickens

Abstract

Pharmacological plants are developed as additive in animal feeds. These plants are very important for the  improvement of the global poultry industry. This experiment studied the effects of artichoke extract on  concentrations of triglyceride, cholesterol, very low lipoprotein (VLDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL) in  broiler chickens at 35 and 42 days. The experimental designed was a randomized complete block design  (RCBD) with 5 treatments (0, 100, 200,300 and 500 mg of artichoke extract per liter of water) and 4 replications. Each replication had 10 chickens, out of which 2 chicken were selected for the evaluation of the lipid profile at days 35 and 42. Fasting blood samples were collected for the analyses of triglyceride, cholesterol, very low lipoprotein, High density lipoprotein levels in the serum of the broiler chickens. The result showed that administration of artichoke extract had no effect on blood lipid components at 34 and 42 days. Comparison between concentrations of triglyceride, cholesterol, very low lipoprotein and high density lipoprotein were significantly different (p<0.05). High level of artichoke extract (500 mg/l) had no effect on blood parameters.

Keywords: Artichoke extract, Triglyceride, Cholesterol, High density lipoprotein, Very low lipoprotein, Broiler chicken