title: Reduction of ascites mortality in broilers by coenzyme Q10.
abstract: Effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation on growth performance and ascites were studied in broilers. One hundred eighty 1-d-old Arbor Acre male broiler chicks were randomly allocated into 3 groups with 6 replicates each. From d 8, the diets were supplemented with CoQ10 at levels of 0, 20, and 40 mg/kg, respectively. From d 15 to 21, all the chicks were exposed to low ambient temperature (15 to 18 degrees C) to induce ascites. Average feed intake, BW gain, and feed conversion ratio of the broilers during 0 to 3 wk, 3 to 6 wk, and 0 to 6 wk were measured. The results showed that there were no influences observed on broilers' growth performance, but the mortality due to ascites was reduced by CoQ10 supplementation (P < or = 0.05). Erythrocyte osmotic fragility (EOF) was significantly decreased by 40 mg/kg CoQ10 compared with the control, but no significant changes were observed on blood packed cell volume (PCV) among the treatments. Pulmonary arterial diastolic pressure was significantly decreased on d 36, but no significant changes were observed on right ventricular pressure (RVP), pulmonary arterial systolic pressure, and the maximum change ratio of right intraventricular pressure (+/- dp/ dtmax). Ascites heart index (AHI) was significantly decreased by 40 mg/kg CoQ10 supplementation (P < or = 0.05). The results of this study suggested that CoQ10 has a beneficial effect in reducing ascites mortality in broilers, and 40 mg/kg CoQ10 seems to be more effective than 20 mg/ kg CoQ10.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100094, P. R. China.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Geng
authors.forename: Y M
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001201:Ascites / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D002645:Chickens; D003067:Coenzymes; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000502:physiology; D006400:Hematocrit; D008297:Male; D009996:Osmotic Fragility / Q000502:physiology; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000502:physiology; D015996:Survival Rate; D013696:Temperature; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D016276:Ventricular Function; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D003067:Coenzymes; D014451:Ubiquinone; C024989:coenzyme Q10