Effect of inclusion of zinc-glycine chelate and zinc sulphate on live performance, immunity and lipid peroxidation in broilers

Zinc (Zn) is a biologically significant trace mineral, serving as a cofactor in various metabolic functions. This study aimed to assess the relative effectiveness of organic and inorganic Zn on the growth performance, lipid peroxidation and humoral immune response in broiler chickens (Ross 308). A total of 450 d-old broilers were divided into five groups: the control group, a group receiving a basal diet with 50 mg/kg organic Zn (T1), another with 60 mg/kg organic Zn (T2), and two groups with basal diets supplemented with inorganic Zn at rates of 50 and 60 mg/kg zinc sulfate for the fourth (T3) and fifth (T4) groups, respectively. The experiment spanned 35 days. Results indicated that zootechnical characteristics such as weekly weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and dressing percentage were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in T1 compared to both the control and the inorganic Zn supplementation groups. Additionally, the antibody titre against Newcastle disease was significantly (P < 0.05) elevated, while malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in T1 and T2 compared to the control and the inorganic Zn supplementation groups. In conclusion, broilers supplemented with 50 mg/kg organic Zn exhibited significantly improved growth performance, reduced MDA levels, and enhanced humoral immune response.