Effect of plant-based hepatoprotectors on the functional state of the liver in chickens

Purpose: to study the functional state of the liver in egg-laying chickens fed plant extracts with hepatoprotective properties in the Amur Region.

Materials and Methods. Three groups of 60-day-old Dekalb White egg-laying chickens were formed: a control group and two experimental groups, each containing 10–11 birds. Starting at 60 days of age, chickens in the first experimental group were supplemented with silimar at a daily dose of 0,01 g/kg of live weight. Chickens in the second experimental group also received silimar at the same dose and a saltwort extract at a daily dose of 0,05 g/kg of live weight. Chickens in the control group received only a standard diet. Live weight, clinical and biochemical blood parameters, and liver histomorphometric parameters were monitored at 60 and 90 days of age. Absolute organ weights were determined in 60- and 90-day-old chicks.

Results. Serum levels of the γ-globulin fraction of protein were found to be elevated in 60-day-old chicks by 50,8–64,2 %, AST by 3,3–3,5 times, ALT by 4,5–6,4 times, ALP by 4,8–6,0 times, and total bilirubin by 3,2–5,1 times. Glucose levels were decreased by 19,7–46,2 %. Microscopic examination of the liver tissue revealed foci of inflammation and isolated areas of fatty degeneration. After feeding plant extracts to 90-day-old chickens of the experimental groups, compared to the control group, the hemoglobin level increased by 11,4–23,3 %, albumin by 14,2–8,6 %, glucose by 18,0–18,4 %, the level of γ-globulins decreased by 21,2–27,5 %, and alkaline phosphatase by 22,1–29,4 %. Foci of inflammatory infiltrate persisted in the liver, but were smaller (100,0–150,0 μm in diameter) than in the control group (with a diameter of 1000,0–1250,0 μm). In the control group, foci of large-droplet fatty degeneration of hepatocytes persisted.

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