Growth performance, antioxidant status, and nonspecific immunity in broilers under different lighting regimens

• DOI: 10.3382/japr.2012-00713
• Publication Date: 2013-11-25T17:21:20Z
• Authors: L. Zheng; Y.E. Ma; L.Y. Gu; D. Yuan; M.L. Shi; X.Y. Guo; X.A. Zhan
• Keywords: 0402 animal and dairy science; 04 agricultural and veterinary sciences; 3. Good health

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of different lighting regimens on broilers' growth performance, antioxidant status, and nonspecific immunity. A total 630 one-day-old Lingnan Yellow broilers were randomly divided into 3 treatments with replicates each (70 birds/replicate). Lighting schedules constant (CL), 24L:0D, 2 intermittent lightings (INL), 16L:2D:1L:2D:1L:2D (INL I) 17L:3D:1L:3D II), which provided by incandescent bulbs. trial split starter (1–21 d) finisher (22–50 phases. No differences between in performance found. Compared CL, INL significantly increased serum melatonin both at d 21 50, especially I treatment. Intermittent enhanced capability liver d, activity superoxide dismutase 50 higher than CL. Additionally, markedly glutathione peroxidase reduced maleic dialdehyde concentration liver. index thymus (g/kg BW) elevated under 21, bursa Fabricius also II 50. Moreover, had phagocytosis index. In conclusion, contrast can improve status immunity, but not performance. showed a more significant effect immunity I.