Evaluating the effect of Melatonin on incidence of ascites syndrome and growth performance in broiler chickens under cold stress

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Amirhossein Torabi 1
Shahab Bahadran 2
Hossein Hassanpour 3
Abdolnaser Mohebbi 2
1 Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord- Iran
2 Department Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord- Iran
3 Department Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord- Iran
/10.22034/ijvcs.2025.14968.1112
Abstract
According to the importance of ascites syndrome in the poultry industry, this reaserch aims to investigate the effects of adding Melatonin on growth factors and mortality of broiler chicken with the strain of Ross308 in the conditions of inducing ascites. For this purpose, 108 pieces of chickens were purchased and divided into 3 groups of 36 pieces, each group including 3 sections with 12 pieces. Group 1: basic diet during the entire experimental period as the control group. Group 2: basic diet with 20 mg/kg of melatonin and group 3: basic diet with 40 mg/kg of melatonin. The mortality rate and growth factors in different groups evaluated and it was observed that the weight in the group of melatonin 40, increased significantly compared to the control group (p<0.05) and the FCR have also improved (p<0.05). By examining the ratio of the weight of the right ventricle to the total ventricles, it was observed that the RV/TV in the groups of melatonin was significantly lower than the control group. Decrease of mortality was also observed in melatonin groups. In the end of research, it can be said that by adding melatonin powder, the damage caused by ascites syndrome can be significantly reduced.
Keywords
Melatonin
Broiler chicken
growth performance
Ascites syndrome
Subjects
1- حسن زاده م, مقیمی نیاکی , باباپور و همکاران، بررسی استفاده از ملاتونین خوراکی و تاریکی بر کاهش تلفات و عوارض ناشی از استرس حاد گرمایی در جوجه‌های گوشتی. مجله طب دامی ایران. 2016;10(1):7-17.
2- Ahmadipour B, Hassanpour H, Rafiei F,et al. Antioxidative, antihyperlipidemic, and growth-promoting effects of Kelussia odoratissima in meat-type chickens. Poultry Science Journal. 2015; 3(1):37-46.
3- Apeldoorn, E. J., Schrama, J. W., Mashaly, M. M., et al. Effect of melatonin and lighting schedule on energy metabolism in broiler chickens. Poultry science, 1999; 78(2), 223-229.
4- Baghbanzadeh A, Decuypere E. Ascites syndrome in broilers: physiological and nutritional perspectives. Avian 11.Pathology. 2008; 37(2):26-117.
5- Bosco AD, Schedler FB, Colares JR, et al. Melatonin effects on pulmonary tissue in the experimental model of Hepatopulmonary Syndrome. Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia. 2019; 45(3).
6- Clark WD, Classen HL. The Effects of Continuously or Diurnally Fed Melatonin on Broiler Performance and Health. Poultry Science. 1995; 74; (11): 4-1900.
7- D’Annunzio V, Perez V, Boveris A, et al. Role of thioredoxin-1 in ischemic preconditioning, postconditioning and aged ischemic hearts. Pharmacological research. 2016; 109: 24-31.
8- Druyan S, Shlosberg A, Cahaner A. Evaluation of growth rate, body weight, heart rate, and blood parameters as potential indicators for selection against susceptibility to the ascites syndrome in young broilers. Poultry science. 2007; 86(4): 9-621.
9- Emet M, Ozcan H, Ozel L, et al. A Review of Melatonin, Its Receptors and Drugs. Eurasian J Med. 2016; 48(2): 41-135.
10- Gupta A. Ascites syndrome in poultry: a review. World's poultry science journal. 2011; 67(3): 68-400.
11- Hashemipour H, Kermanshahi H, Golian A, et al. Effect of thymol and carvacrol feed supplementation on performance, antioxidant enzyme activities, fatty acid composition, digestive enzyme activities, and immune response in broiler chickens. Poultry Science. 2013; 92(8): 69-2059.
12- Haslam S, Knowles TG, Brown SN, et al. Prevalence and factors associated with it, of birds dead on arrival at the slaughterhouse and other rejection conditions in broiler chickens. British poultry science. 2008; 49(6): 68-459.
13- Hassanpour H, Khalaji-Pirbalouty V, Nasiri L, et al. Oxidant and enzymatic antioxidant status (gene expression and activity) in the brain of chickens with cold-induced pulmonary hypertension. International Journal of Biometeorology. 2015; 59(11): 21-1615.
14- Havenstein G, Ferket P, Qureshi M. Carcass composition and yield of 1957 versus 2001 broilers when fed representative 1957 and 2001 broiler diets. Poultry Science. 2003; 82(10): 18-1509.
15- Havenstein G, Ferket P, Qureshi M. Growth, livability, and feed conversion of 1957 versus 2001 broilers when fed representative 1957 and 2001 broiler diets. Poultry Science. 2003; 82(10): 8-1500.
16- Injidi MH, Forbes JM. Growth and food intake of intact and pinealectomised chickens treated with melatonin and triiodothyronine. British Poultry Science. 1983; 24(4):9-463.
17- Julian RJ. Ascites in poultry. Avian pathology. 1993; 22(3):54-419.
18- Khajali F, Saedi M, Slominski B. The effect of low chloride and high bicarbonate diets on growth, blood parameters, and pulmonary hypertensive response in broiler chickens reared at high altitude. Archiv für Geflügelkunde. 2011; 75:235-8.
19- Khajali F, Tahmasebi M, Hassanpour H, et al. Effects of supplementation of canola meal-based diets with arginine on performance, plasma nitric oxide, and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens grown at high altitude. Poultry Science. 2011; 90(10): 90-94.
20- Khajali F, Zamani‐Moghaddam A, Asadi‐Khoshoei E. Application of an early skip‐a‐day feed restriction on physiological parameters, carcass traits and development of ascites in male broilers reared under regular or cold temperatures at high altitude. Animal Science Journal. 2007; 78(2): 63-159.
21- Kruk J, Aboul-Enein BH, Duchnik E. Exercise-induced oxidative stress and melatonin supplementation: current evidence. The Journal of Physiological Sciences. 2021; 71(1):1-19.
22- Li, J., Li, R. X., et al. Effect of melatonin on renewal of chicken small intestinal mucosa. Poultry science, 2017; 96(8), 2942-2949.
23- Mogulkoc R, Baltaci AK, Oztekin E, et al. Melatonin prevents oxidant damage in various tissues of rats with hyperthyroidism. Life Sciences. 2006; 79(3): 302-311.
24- Nevin B, Broadley K. Nitric oxide in respiratory diseases. Pharmacology & therapeutics. 2002; 95(3): 93-259.
25- Pablos MI, Agapito MT, Gutierrez R, et al. Melatonin stimulates the activity of the detoxifying enzyme glutathione peroxidase in several tissues of chicks. Journal of pineal research. 1995; 19(3):5-1.
26. Paulis L, Šimko F. Blood pressure modulation and cardiovascular protection by melatonin: potential mechanisms behind. Physiological research. 2007; 56(6).
27- Pechanova O, Paulis L, Simko F. Peripheral and Central Effects of Melatonin on Blood Pressure Regulation. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2014; 15(10):37 -17920.
28- Shang Y, Xu S-P, Wu Y, et al. Melatonin reduces acute lung injury in endotoxemic rats. Chin Med J (Engl). 2009; 122(12): 93-1388.
29- Wideman R, Rhoads D, Erf G, et al. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (ascites syndrome) in broilers: A review. Poultry Science. 2013; 92(1): 64-83.
30- Zhou H, Ma Q, Zhu P, et al. Protective role of melatonin in cardiac ischemia‐reperfusion injury: From pathogenesis to targeted therapy. Journal of pineal research. 2018; 64(3).
Iranian Journal of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
Volume 19, Issue 1 - Serial Number 32
Spring & Summer 2025
August 2025
Pages 51-58