Effect of Natural Phytogenic Extract Herbs on Physiological Status and Carcass Traits of Broiler Chickens

This paper was conducted to monitor the effect of mixed essential oils (AROMIX  ) as phytogenic extract herbs administration in drinking water on growth performance, hematological, biochemical, immunological statuses and carcass traits of broiler chickens. A total number of 240 unsexed broiler chicks (Cobb-500) strain, were randomly divided to four equal groups, 60 chicks each at seven days of age. The first group drank tap water (control), the second, third and fourth group were drank the same water, adding 1 ml AROMIX  per 5, 10 and 15 liter tap water, respectively for 5 week of age. It was cleared from the results that there was a significant improve in feed conversion ratio, red and white blood cell counts, total protein, albumin, globulin, calcium, inorganic phosphorus and a relative reduction in the liver enzymes but in the normal range. However, it was observed that mix essential oils have no significant impact on carcass organs. High levels of the vital parameters, low levels of hepatic enzymes showed that birds health was good and relative improvement in immune system. The relative improvement of the absorption of minerals such as calcium and inorganic phosphorus to the positive role of essential oils. Administration in drank water was occasion, a regular activity of hepatic enzymes which can evidence safety and hepa-to-protective nature of these oils. Therefore, it is cleared from the results that the addition of these extract herbs in drinking water enhances the health meat, performance and physiological status of broiler chicks, which helps to obtain healthy meat and suitable for


Introduction
Essential oils, a complex mixture of different compounds, extracted from spices and herb composed of aromatic and volatile substances [1]. Thyme and oregano oil contains two main ingredients, carvacrol, and thymol, respectively, and there are some biological properties of essential oils such as they act as antimicrobial, antioxidant, enzymatic, digestion stimulating. Besides these, essential oils also have anti-heat stress effects and they activate the immune system [2]. Phytogenic feed additives, such as essential oils affected on growth rate and improvement of the immune system of animals and birds [3]. The growth performance improved significantly when adding herbal feed additives to the diets of livestock animals and chickens [4]. Some studies have observed that phytogenic plant dietary supplements have positive effects on broiler chickens performance during a coccidial challenge and have identified that a characteristic of essential oils in their antibacterial property has been well tested in vitro for more than once against a large number of pathogenic microorganism, which includes Gram-positive as well as Gram-negative bacteria [5]. The additions of cellular feed phytogenic additive to broilers stimulate intestinal secretion in the mucous membranes, an effect that weakens the adhesion of pathogens and thus plays a prominent role in the stability of useful microbes in the animals gut [6]. These findings support the hypothesis that phytogenic feed additives positively affect intestine functions. Hence the reciprocal study aimed to impact assessment of dietary supplements of different levels of AROMIX  as mix extract herbs on growth performance, hematological, biochemical, immunological and carcass characteristics in broiler.

Materials and Methods
This study was executed during the winter season (January and February 2017) at the Poultry Research Center, Poultry Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, Egypt.
All animal care procedures were approved by Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee in Alexandria University, with review report number AU08190319321.

AROMIX ® Composition
AROMIX  is a new blend of natural herbs and seasoned spices with fine extracts. Approving to regulation 2336/2016 to administration in drinking water for use in poultry production, flavor scan be classified as sensory additions.
Therefore, AROMIX  as phytogenic extract herbs were known as a flavor for poultry production and it carried out in accordance with appropriate regulations

Experimental Design
A total number of 240 unsexed (Cobb-500) broiler chicks, aged 7 days. Four experimental groups were randomly assigned to each group containing 60 chicks.
Each group was divided into 3 replicates each with 20 chicks. Chicks were housed in breeding pens with fresh wood shavings; gas heater was used to provide the chicks with heat needed for brooding, in an open system that is well ventilated and kept under the same administrative, health and environmental conditions. Broiler chickens of the 2 nd , 3 rd and 4 th group chicks were given 1 ml AROMIX  per 5, 10 and 15 liter tap water throughout the experiment period from 7 to 35 days of age. The first group was used as a control, treated the same way except that chicks were given tap water only. The feeding trial in Table 2 was extended for 5 weeks of age. Experimental diets were formulated to be isocaloric, isonitrogenous which provide chicks during starter from the first day to two weeks of age, a grower from two to four weeks of age and finisher at the last week until 35 days of age [8]. Chicks were fed the commercial basal diets ad libitum throughout the trial period (1 -35 days of age).

Equipment and Working Procedures
The chemical analysis of mixed extract herbs (AROMIX  ) as phytogenic component

Data Collected
During the treatment period, from one day to five weeks of age, live body weight (LBW), body weight gain (BWG), feed consumption (FC) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded individually weekly. Before the slaughter was completed, 3 ml of wing vein blood samples were assembled from the chicks in clean tubes with heparin or without heparin, blood samples were re-

Slaughter Procedure
All procedures were including all animal housing, handling, and surgical procedures, was reviewed and approved by the University of Alexandria Institutional Animal Care in Egypt and Use Committee prior to experimentation.
At 35 days of age, six fasted chicks (3 male and 3 female) of each group were randomized appropriated, fasted for 10 hours before slaughter at 8:00 am O'clock and individually weighted. After scalding, feather picking and evisceration carcass, organs (liver, kidney, gizzard, heart, pancreas, adrenal, abdominal fat, cecum and intestine) were removed and weighed. Intestine, cecum lengths were measured to the nearest centimeter (cm). Immune organs (spleen, thymus and bursa) were removed and weighed. The length and width of tibia bone were measured to the nearest centimeter (cm) then weighed. Organs were weighed to determine the relative (g/100 g live body weight).

Statistical Analysis
The trial was statistically analyzed under a fully randomized design system and the results were tested in a variance analysis method using the general procedure of liner model [11]. The Duncan's test [12] was estimated using differences between means.

Growth Performance
The results of this experiment towards the goal up to determine the effect of AROMIX  on broiler performance. The research has revealed a series of results to present as follows.
The results of the weekly treatment of broilers with AROMIX  on live body weight (LBW) and body weight gain (BWG) for 5 weeks throughout the experimental period are presented in Table 3  It is worthy to notice that the improvement in final LBW and BWG gain which occurred in broiler chickens administrated AROMIX  may be due to the biological functions of the main components of the residual essential oil in AROMIX  .
Chick's weekly feed consumption (FC) Table 3 showed a non-significant decrease (P = 0.0548) during the total experimental period at 35 days of age. The significant(P = 0.0004) improvement in feed conversion ratio (FCR) Table 3 which was improved by 3.59 and 2.99% compared with control with the 1 ml AROMIX  per 10 and 15 liter treatments, respectively, may be due to increased body weight gain with reduced feed consumption, with the best feed conversion ratio observed at the (T3) dose.
The enhanced of FCR as an effect of administration of AROMIX  to the tab water could be due to the decrease in FC joined with an increase (P ≤ 0.05) in live body weight (LBW).
The results obtained are similar to many other studies by [13] noticed that improvement in the growth performance and the feed intake was similar between groups were addition essential oil mix to a standard diet of broilers. The action of herbal extracts as antioxidants, antibacterial, antifungal and antiprotozoal also adds to the positive improvement in bird's performance. [14] pointed out that the improvement in dietary efficiency with feeding on herbal extracts is associated with improved digestion of protein and increased rate of utilization in the small intestine. The entity of a mixture of essential fatty acids such as linolenic and linoleic acids, in many herbs extracts that are important and necessary for growth may be due to the positive effect of herbs in live body weight and overall performance [15]. Similar results by [16] found that the essential oils mixture (125 ppm containing essential oil of oregano, anise, and citrus peel) was conducted in the diet. Characteristics of essential oils can promote the stimulation of gastrointestinal secretion, circulatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial and the immune status [17].
not significantly different in all groups. Improvements in blood components may be due to the addition of AROMIX  due to increased metabolism. The significant increase in Hb and platelets values in group T3 and T4 could be explained by the presence of high content of iron in thyme (Thymol as mixed essential oil) which capable of stimulating hemoglobin synthesis and also presence of a variety of important flavonoids with antioxidant activity which responsible for improvement of complete blood count picture. These results corroboration the findings of [18] showed that medicinal plants have a significant effect on blood estimates based on their nutritional status. These values of parameters are given the good result of the physiological profile, pathological status, and nutritional role of animal and have the ability to use to explain the effect of dietary agents and additive supplements in diet. For example, white blood cells when an infection occurs are increased sharply because they are one of the first lines of defense within the body [19]. Feeding broiler chickens on phytogenic plant products had resulted in lower of H/L ratio, giving a positive effect of mix essential oils (MEO) on reducing physiological stress in the broiler. The H/L ratio was a biological indicator of pressure in chicken is well documented. In accordance with [20] observed that diet was added with oily extract of thyme and cinnamon increased RBC, HCT, HB and WBC values in broiler chickens.
The reliability of the H/L ratio as a biological indicator of stress in broiler was linearly reduced in birds drinking mixed essential oils T2, T3 and T4. The dif-ferences were reduced linearly of heterophils to lymphocyte ratio in broilers fed Thymol + Carvacrol, while other values tested, included red and white blood cell (RBC and WBC), haemoglobin (Hb) values, and packed cell volume percentage (PCV%), were not affected by treatment diets and dose therapy [21]. Our findings are comparable with [22] results indicated that the increased in blood haematological components such as PCV, PCV, RBC and WBC in birds fed with the herbal ingredients (ginger, garlic) is a guide of improved oxygen caring capacity of the cells which translated to a better availability of nutrients for utilization to the birds which affecting their wellbeing with an active immune system. Broilers given the extract of Mexican oregano oil (MOO) had slightly increased erythrocytes, haemoglobin and WBC values. The group of control had high values of average corpuscular volume, lymphocytes, monocytes, and the mean of corpuscular haemoglobin, followed by antibiotic therapy group and MOO treatment groups [23].
In contrast, [24] revealed that thyme and ginger indicated favorable influence on the performance of broiler without any impact on RBC, WBC counts, Haemoglobin value and hematocrit percentage.

Blood Biochemistry Parameters
Treatments T2, T3 and T4 noticed significant (P ≤ 0.05) increase in serum albumin value when compared with control Table 5. The increase in the level of serum albumin has been indication of the body animal's retention of protein.
Similar results were obtained by [25] higher content of albumin in blood serum may also indicate enhanced nutrient supply, transport and synergic effect of mixed essential oils. The increased level of albumin in group T2, T3 and T4 by 6.25%, 11.46% and 4.51% than control group are in agreement with the results of [26] who found higher total albumin concentration in broiler fed with ginger powder. These results indicated that the supplement mix of herbal ingredients may non-significant improve globulin level Table 5. These results are in harmony with [27] showed no significant effect in blood serum globulin of broiler chicken feed diet supplemented with garlic extract.
Total lipid and cholesterol levels were significantly (P = 0.0310 and 0.0001, respectively) affected by AROMIX  treatments. Total lipid showed a reduction of 7.86%, 12.69% and 8.97% and cholesterol was reduced by 19.04%, 15.34% and 20.02% with the three doses of AROMIX  , respectively. AROMIX  treatments caused a non-significant reduce in both triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (P = 0.3011 and 0.8596, respectively). Moreover, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) has significantly increased (P = 0.0278) to reach 108.30%, 123.18% and 133.19% of control value with the three groups of AROMIX  , respectively. Similarly, [28] reported a decrease in the concentrations of triglyceride and cholesterol in the blood due to the addition of thyme extract or oil in the broiler diet at the level of 200 -500 ppm. Likewise, [29] found that the dietary supplementation with green tea powder did not effect on cholesterol level of the broiler.  Means in the same row followed by different letters are significantly different at P ≤ 0.05. T1 = Control, T2 = AROMIX  1 cm/5 litter water, T3 = AROMIX  1 cm/10 litter water, T4 = AROMIX  1 cm/15 litter water, LDL = low-density lipoprotein; HDL = high-density lipoprotein; AST = aspartate amino transferase; ALT = alanine amino transferase; Ca = calcium; IP = inorganic phosphorus; T3 = thyroid hormone; IgG = immunoglobulin G; TAC = total antioxidant capacity and MDA = malondialdehyde activity.
There was a marked decrease in cholesterol concentration (P ≤ 0.05) by 9.64%, 5.25% and 5.40% in broilers were under anise, thyme or anise and thyme respectively when compared with control chicks. The reduced plasma content of cholesterol value and LDL may affect the properties of deficient LDL attributed to the deionized portion of leaves rich in fibrous percentage and possibly inhibit absorption of intestinal cholesterol. Glucose levels decreased significantly (P = 0.0384) to reach 4.58%, 8.87% and 15.02% of the three doses of AROMIX  , respectively. The results are consistent with the results of [30] who mentioned that comparative blood biochemical parameters of diet birds were received with a combination of essential oils from the micro-organism, aniseed and acidic fruits. The data of control showed that the acidic fruit had a slightly lower level of glucose (−4.11%), a substance found in animals directly, it was a substance that indirectly oxidizing animals to save energy.
Although without significance results (P = 0.0151 and 0.0494, respectively), AROMIX  groups decreased creatinine and uric acid concentrations in control with the three doses of AROMIX  , respectively. The results indicated an improvement of renal function in blood purification especially with high blood proteins noted in this research with MEO treatments. Results are similar to data [23] who found that treating Arbor Acres broiler with various levels (0.5%, 1.0% and 2.0%) of rosemary and rosemary oil reduced serum creatinine levels.
AST and ALT levels were decreased significantly (P = 0.0253 and 0.0007, respectively) affected by AROMIX  treatments. AST noted a reduction of 9.86%, 8.27% and 5.62% and ALT was reduced by 15.28%, 19.25% and 13.15% in comparison with the control, respectively, revealing a slight improvement in liver function. The levels of ALT and AST probably given evidence of liver protection against hepatic degeneration. The low activity for plasma enzymes ALT and AST was registered for individuals fed diets added to the additions with Phy to additive until the treatment did not negatively change the activity of the hepatic enzyme activity [31]. Moreover, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) dedicated a non-significant effect (P = 0.9179) in broilers that received mix essential oils (AROMIX  ) in groups T2, T3 and T4 than in the control chicken group. concentration was increased of 32.69%, 55.36% and 47.09% with the different doses of AROMIX  , respectively, this shows an improvement of immunity characteristics in blood exceptionally with the exalted haematological parameters (lymphocyte) noted in this research with AROMIX  groups.
These results are agreed with [34] noticed there is a significant increase in the antibody titer versus Newcastle broiler disease as a result of the addition of thyme extract at 500 ppm in drinking water or in feed composition, respectively.
Moreover, incorporation of plant extract blend in the broiler feed increased antibody titer and may be attributed to the immunosuppressant and antioxidant properties of the herbal extracts used in the mixture, polyphenol matter noticed in the plant extract have the ability to scavenge free radical and maintain integrity of the structure immune cells [35].
MEO treatments significantly (P = 0.0509) increased total antioxidant capacity (TAC) by 10.81%, 21.62% and 27.93% with different doses, respectively. Differ trend was showed with malondialdehyde (MDA) (P = 0.0512) as they were reduced by 1.81%, 9.86% and 9.99% with different doses of AROMIX  , respectively. These results are confirmed by the results of [36] noted that there was a significant decrease in plasma concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) compared with control group by feeding broiler chickens with 0.1% of essential oil.
Feeding broiler chickens with the addition of Thymol + Carvacrol increased antioxidant enzyme activity that enhanced digestive enzyme activities and immune response, a decreased lipid oxidation of broiler chickens [19]. Also, [37] who stated that dietary supplements of vitamin E, ginger root powder or essential oils (EO) administration to chicks reduced serum MDA concentrations and increased total antioxidant capacity (TAC) compared with control group.

Carcass Traits
The relative weight of the carcass, dressing, liver, kidney, gizzard, adrenal, pancreas, abdominal fat and cecum length were not affected by dietary treatments with AROMIX  (mix essential oils). Results of slaughter carcass traits presented in Table 6 showed that broiler chickens of AROMIX  had significantly higher weight percentages of heart, cecum, intestine and intestine length. Our findings are consistent with [38] observed there were no differences in the weights of gizzard, liver and pancreas of broiler chickens fed on a diet including essential oil herbal extract. Also, [39] pointed out that the addition of thyme and essential oil of black seed in quail diet increased the weight and the length of the intestine.
The relative weight of immune organs like (spleen, thymus and bursa of Fabricius) and tibia characteristics (tibia % and tibia length) were not affected in birds drinking water with the mix essential oils, while, tibia width was significantly (P = 0.0222) affected by AROMIX  treatments. Tibia width was increased of 5.13%, 12.82% and 6.41% with different doses of AROMIX  , respectively. Although without reaching significance (P = 0.0801), AROMIX  treatments increased tibia length, these results have indicated that it may be mix essential oils Open Journal of Animal Sciences have improved of Ca metabolism and consequently increased the tibia length by hyperplasia and hypertrophy of osteoclast cells and these results need more investigation on the bone by histology examination. These data support the findings of [40] who showed that there were no differences in the weight of the spleen and Fabricius bursa of live body weight in the diet broiler containing the phytogenic compound. This finding is consistent with the results of [41] suggested that thyme and ginger oils did not result in any significant changes in the relative weights of these lymphoid organs in all treatments. Also, [42] showed that chicken feeding at different levels of probiotics or pungent substance as natural feed additive did not effect on (tibia weight, length, Open Journal of Animal Sciences width and tibia seeder index) as bone measurements.

Conclusion and Application
The results can be summarized in the fact that the addition of AROMIX  as mix extract herbs in drinking water for broiler chickens helped for improvement physiological characteristics as well as an enhanced production performance by achieving the highest rate of body weight gain and feed conversion. Furthermore, enhanced hematological values and had a positive effect on liver and kidney functions and increased utilization of feed minerals. Thus, high metabolic functions can be predicted by increasing T3 levels and improving the oxidative state. The addition of these herbs enhances the health meat, of broiler chicks, which helps to obtain healthy meat and is suitable for human consumption.