The effect of different levels of vitamin C and chromium on growth performance, carcass characteristics, digestive organs, immunity, blood constituents, liver enzymes, cecal microflora, meat sensory taste and fatty acid profile of breast meat in broilers

BACKGROUND: Antioxidants such as vitamin C (VC) and chromium (Cr), which effectively scavenge free radicals, may improve functional characteristics of the intestine and may reduce intestinal diseases. Cr absorption increases in the presence of VC. In poultry, VC is mainly derived from glucose; hence, Cr is an important component for glucose tolerance. We evaluated the synergistic effects of these two antioxidants together. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate two levels of VC and two levels of Cr and their interaction on growth performance, carcass characteristics, digestive organs, immunity, blood constituents, liver enzymes, cecal microflora, meat sensory taste and fatty acid profile of breast meat in broilers. METHODS: Two levels of VC (250 and 500 mg/kg dry matter [DM]) and two levels of Cr (700 and 1400 μg/kg DM) were added to a basic diet for 42 days in five treatments. The 2 × 2 plus 1 (control group) factorial experiment was performed in a completely randomised design for 42 days using 360 one‐day‐old male chicks. RESULTS: Very low‐density lipoprotein, high‐density lipoprotein, low‐density lipoprotein, total cholesterol and triglyceride level, liver enzymes, antibody titer against sheep red blood cells, fat content, odour, chewing ability, elasticity and oral sensation traits were affected by combination of VC and Cr. CONCLUSIONS: Combination of VC and Cr can increase unsaturated fatty acids and decrease saturated fatty acids, as well as improve cecal microbial flora, and may be useful as antioxidant compounds and non‐antimicrobial stimulants for economic growth. The use of 250 mg/kg of VC and 700 μg/kg of Cr is recommended in broiler diets.