Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate effects of fisetin and probiotic on erythrocyte osmotic fragility (EOF), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in broiler chickens exposed to heat stress. Sixty day-old broilers were divided into: Group I (control) given distilled water; Group II, fisetin (5 mg/kg); Group III, probiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae (4.125 × 106 cfu/100 ml); and Group IV, fisetin (5 mg/kg) + probiotic (4.125 × 106 cfu/100 ml) orally for 7 days. Blood samples collected from 42-day-old birds were evaluated for EOF, serum MDA concentration and SOD activity. Percentage EOF at 0.5% NaCl was lower (P<0.05) in fisetin, probiotic and fisetin + probiotic groups (34.26 ± 0.98%, 35.65 ± 0.81% and 34.25 ± 1.98%, respectively) than in controls (48.42 ± 0.40%). The MDA concentrations in broiler chickens administered with fisetin (14.37 ± 1.15 nmol/l), probiotic (5.66 ± 1.06 nmol/l) and fisetin + probiotic (4.136 ± 0.58 nmol/l) were lower (P<0.05) than in controls (22.64 ± 2.95 nmol/l). Activities of SOD were higher (P<0.05) in fisetin, probiotic and fisetin + probiotic broiler chickens (6.34 ± 0.24 IU/l, 5.67 ± 0.09 IU/l and 5.93 ± 0.13 IU/l, respectively) than in controls (5.37 ± 0.09 IU/l). Fisetin + probiotic ameliorated oxidative stress changes in broiler chickens better than fisetin or probiotic alone. In conclusion, administration of fisetin or probiotic and, especially their combination, decreased EOF, lipoperoxidation and increased superoxide dismutase activity in broiler chickens exposed to heat stress.