Volume 16, Issue 2 (5-2025)
Res Anim Prod 2025, 16(2): 22-31 |
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Mirzadeh M, Kazemizadeh A, Ghasemian S O. (2025). The Effect of Ginger Powder on Thyroid Hormones and Influenza Titer in Broilers. Res Anim Prod. 16(2), 22-31. doi:10.61882/rap.2024.1407
URL: http://rap.sanru.ac.ir/article-1-1407-en.html
URL: http://rap.sanru.ac.ir/article-1-1407-en.html
1- Department of Veterinary, Shoushtar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shoushtar, Iran
2- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Technology, Khuzestan Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Ahvaz, Iran
3- Department of Veterinary, Behbahan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Behbahan, Iran
2- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Technology, Khuzestan Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Ahvaz, Iran
3- Department of Veterinary, Behbahan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Behbahan, Iran
Abstract: (716 Views)
Extended Abstract
Background: Thyroid hormones play a role in increasing protein production and nitrogen retention in the body, accelerating enzyme activity, combining and neutralizing enzyme inhibitors, increasing cell membrane permeability, improving glucose utilization efficiency, increasing growth hormone secretion from the anterior pituitary gland, and cooperating with this hormone in increasing chick growth. Consequently, the role of endocrine glands, including the thyroid gland, in the body's metabolic activities is an undeniable fact. In this regard, the effects of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism and related hormonal fluctuations can severely affect the mechanism of chemical reactions in the body. Ginger is a plant with strong antioxidant compounds that reduce or prevent the production of free radicals. Ginger and its main components collect and bind free radicals, protect cell membranes from oxidation, reduce lipid peroxidation, and increase the levels of antioxidant enzymes. The main antioxidant compounds in ginger are gingerols, sesquiterpenes, shogaols, and some of their phenolic ketone derivatives, which have the ability to neutralize superoxide and hydroxyl radicals. This research aimed to study the effect of ginger powder on thyroid hormones and influenza titer in broiler breeder roosters.
Methods: The research was conducted using 27 Ross 308 broiler breeder roosters aged 47 weeks, in a completely randomized design for 11 weeks, with three experimental treatments and nine replicates. The experimental treatments were Treatment 1: Control (basal diet), Treatment 2: Basal diet + 7.5 g ginger powder per kg of consumed diet, and Treatment 3: Basal diet + 15 g ginger powder per kg of consumed diet. During the research period, birds had restricted access to feed. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were taken from the wing vein of all roosters (three treatment groups, three replicates, and three experimental units) to measure thyroid hormone parameters and influenza titer. Data were analyzed using SAS statistical software (version 9.1).
Results: The body weight was not affected by the experimental treatment (P > 0.05); triiodothyronine (T3) and tetraiodothyronine (T4) concentrations were affected by the experimental treatments (P < 0.05). The highest triiodothyronine concentration was observed in birds that received 7.5 and 15 g of ginger powder (P < 0.05). The tetraiodothyronine concentration was higher in birds that received 15 g of ginger powder than in the control treatment (P < 0.05). The antioxidant activity of ginger is due to the presence of flavonoids, isoflavones, flavones, and anthocyanins; in fact, ginger has strong antioxidant activity against free radicals in in vitro and in vivo environments. It has been shown that 6-gingerol has antioxidant activity in in vitro and in vivo environments and is an effective agent for preventing the production of reactive oxygen species. Another study has shown that 6-gingerol is an antioxidant compound that becomes oxidized. Given the presence of abundant alkaloids in ginger powder and their mechanism of action on thyroid hormones, an increase in thyroid hormone levels from this plant is expected, and these changes likely occur following an increase in plasma protein levels. Therefore, to explain the increase in thyroid hormone concentrations in treatments receiving ginger powder in the present study, one can refer to properties such as alkaloid compounds and the wide variety of active antioxidant ingredients and their effect on thyroid gland activity. The influenza titer of roosters that received 7.5 and 15 g of ginger powder tended to increase compared to the control group (P = 0.07); the highest influenza titer (with an average of 8.55) was observed in the 15 g ginger powder treatment, and the lowest influenza titer (with an average of 7.55) was observed in the control treatment. Influenza is a highly contagious disease that affects the respiratory, digestive, reproductive, and nervous systems, and has high morbidity and mortality rates in poultry and turkeys. The main reservoir of these viruses is wild birds, and these birds serve as a source of the virus for other species, including humans, mammals, and birds, posing many health risks to humans. In fact, vaccination is the best method to prevent losses caused by infectious diseases in humans and animals. Common vaccines mainly include attenuated live pathogens and inactivated bacterial toxins. The goal of vaccination is to induce a strong immune response to provide long-term protection against infection. Some nutrients directly affect the immune system by altering the function of immune cells, while others indirectly affect the immune system through hormonal or neural pathways. The most important substances that indirectly affect the immune system are energy, protein, and medicinal plants. If compounds can be used to enhance the immune response to vaccination, a step can be taken toward more effective prevention of influenza by creating a higher titer against the disease.
Conclusion: The research results showed that the use of ginger powder increased the concentration of thyroid hormone and the antibody titer against influenza. As a result, it is possible that it can delay the need for an influenza vaccine by boosting the immune system.
Background: Thyroid hormones play a role in increasing protein production and nitrogen retention in the body, accelerating enzyme activity, combining and neutralizing enzyme inhibitors, increasing cell membrane permeability, improving glucose utilization efficiency, increasing growth hormone secretion from the anterior pituitary gland, and cooperating with this hormone in increasing chick growth. Consequently, the role of endocrine glands, including the thyroid gland, in the body's metabolic activities is an undeniable fact. In this regard, the effects of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism and related hormonal fluctuations can severely affect the mechanism of chemical reactions in the body. Ginger is a plant with strong antioxidant compounds that reduce or prevent the production of free radicals. Ginger and its main components collect and bind free radicals, protect cell membranes from oxidation, reduce lipid peroxidation, and increase the levels of antioxidant enzymes. The main antioxidant compounds in ginger are gingerols, sesquiterpenes, shogaols, and some of their phenolic ketone derivatives, which have the ability to neutralize superoxide and hydroxyl radicals. This research aimed to study the effect of ginger powder on thyroid hormones and influenza titer in broiler breeder roosters.
Methods: The research was conducted using 27 Ross 308 broiler breeder roosters aged 47 weeks, in a completely randomized design for 11 weeks, with three experimental treatments and nine replicates. The experimental treatments were Treatment 1: Control (basal diet), Treatment 2: Basal diet + 7.5 g ginger powder per kg of consumed diet, and Treatment 3: Basal diet + 15 g ginger powder per kg of consumed diet. During the research period, birds had restricted access to feed. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were taken from the wing vein of all roosters (three treatment groups, three replicates, and three experimental units) to measure thyroid hormone parameters and influenza titer. Data were analyzed using SAS statistical software (version 9.1).
Results: The body weight was not affected by the experimental treatment (P > 0.05); triiodothyronine (T3) and tetraiodothyronine (T4) concentrations were affected by the experimental treatments (P < 0.05). The highest triiodothyronine concentration was observed in birds that received 7.5 and 15 g of ginger powder (P < 0.05). The tetraiodothyronine concentration was higher in birds that received 15 g of ginger powder than in the control treatment (P < 0.05). The antioxidant activity of ginger is due to the presence of flavonoids, isoflavones, flavones, and anthocyanins; in fact, ginger has strong antioxidant activity against free radicals in in vitro and in vivo environments. It has been shown that 6-gingerol has antioxidant activity in in vitro and in vivo environments and is an effective agent for preventing the production of reactive oxygen species. Another study has shown that 6-gingerol is an antioxidant compound that becomes oxidized. Given the presence of abundant alkaloids in ginger powder and their mechanism of action on thyroid hormones, an increase in thyroid hormone levels from this plant is expected, and these changes likely occur following an increase in plasma protein levels. Therefore, to explain the increase in thyroid hormone concentrations in treatments receiving ginger powder in the present study, one can refer to properties such as alkaloid compounds and the wide variety of active antioxidant ingredients and their effect on thyroid gland activity. The influenza titer of roosters that received 7.5 and 15 g of ginger powder tended to increase compared to the control group (P = 0.07); the highest influenza titer (with an average of 8.55) was observed in the 15 g ginger powder treatment, and the lowest influenza titer (with an average of 7.55) was observed in the control treatment. Influenza is a highly contagious disease that affects the respiratory, digestive, reproductive, and nervous systems, and has high morbidity and mortality rates in poultry and turkeys. The main reservoir of these viruses is wild birds, and these birds serve as a source of the virus for other species, including humans, mammals, and birds, posing many health risks to humans. In fact, vaccination is the best method to prevent losses caused by infectious diseases in humans and animals. Common vaccines mainly include attenuated live pathogens and inactivated bacterial toxins. The goal of vaccination is to induce a strong immune response to provide long-term protection against infection. Some nutrients directly affect the immune system by altering the function of immune cells, while others indirectly affect the immune system through hormonal or neural pathways. The most important substances that indirectly affect the immune system are energy, protein, and medicinal plants. If compounds can be used to enhance the immune response to vaccination, a step can be taken toward more effective prevention of influenza by creating a higher titer against the disease.
Conclusion: The research results showed that the use of ginger powder increased the concentration of thyroid hormone and the antibody titer against influenza. As a result, it is possible that it can delay the need for an influenza vaccine by boosting the immune system.
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