EFFECT OF A CHITOSAN AND WHEY POWDER COMPLEX ON LIVER METABOLISM, ANTIOXIDANT STATUS AND DETOXIFICATION PROCESSES IN COBB-500 BROILER CHICKENS

Abstract

In this article, the effect of a complex bioadditive based on chitosan and whey powder on liver metabolism, antioxidant defense system and detoxification processes in broiler chickens of the Cobb-500 cross was experimentally evaluated. The experiment was conducted with a 42-day incubation cycle, 100 chickens, a three-group design and statistical criteria at the p<0.05 level. According to the results, the complex additive caused positive changes in live weight gain, feed conversion, liver enzyme activity, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant markers in a dose-dependent manner. The highest biological response was observed at a dose of 80 mg/head: live weight gain increased by 11.8% compared to the control, FCR improved by 9.1%, ALT and AST indicators approached the physiological norm, GSH, SOD and CAT activities increased. The results obtained allow the evaluation of the chitosan-whey combination as an alternative, environmentally safe, and metabolically sound nutritional approach to antibiotic growth stimulants.