GROWTH PERFORMANCE, HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS, SERUM INDICES, AND HORMONE LEVELS OF KUROILER CHICKENS ADMINISTERED L-ARGININE IN DRINKING WATER

Abstract

A study was conducted to explore the effects of orally administered L-arginine on the growth performance, blood parameters, and hormonal profiles of Kuroiler chickens. A total of 270 unsexed Kuroiler chickens aged 12 weeks were used. The experiment was conducted over a five-week period using a completely randomized design, with three treatments and 3 replicates. The treatments were: no administration of L-arginine (control); oral administration of L-arginine at 165 mg/L; and oral administration of L-arginine at 330 mg/L in the drinking water given on daily basis. The results revealed significant impacts of arginine on weight gain and feed conversion ratio Specifically, the treatment with L-arginine at 330 mg/L resulted in the highest weight gain. Hematological parameters were notably higher in chickens given water containing L-arginine, while liver function enzymes showed a linear reduction.  In the treatments where L-arginine was administered, serum glucose levels as well as cholesterol, creatinine, bilirubin, and uric acid concentrations recorded significant reductions, whereas hormone levels, including Triiodothyronine, Tetraiodothyronine, insulin, growth hormone, and insulin-like growth factor, were all significantly higher. The study concludes that the oral administration of L-arginine in the drinking water positively impacts growth performance, enhances hematopoietic activities, and increases hormone production in Kuroiler chickens. Therefore, L-arginine can be used as a supplementation to enhance poultry health and productivity.