Effect of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on serum protein, mineral status, blood picture and immune status in broilers

In poultry, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is widely used as a feed additive to control mortality due to ascites in broilers. Apart from its use the treatment of a variety of disorders viz., ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, Parkinson’s disease, muscle fatigue and muscle weakness, its supplementation has been reported to be beneficial for cardiovascular disease, chronic heart failure, cancer, migraine, asthma and hypertension. In this study, we investigated the effect of CoQ10 supplementation on serum protein, serum minerals, blood parameters, ascites susceptibility and humoral immune status in broilers fed with different energy levels which influence their productivity, biochemical profile and ascites incidences. The treatment had three levels of CoQ10, namely 0, 20 and 40 mg/kg at normal (NE), low (LE) and high (HE) energy levels in which 2X3 factorial design was followed. The haemoglobin and packed cell volume were not affected (P >0.05) by either energy or CoQ10 levels but the erythrocyte osmotic fragility per cent (EOF %) and blood glucose levels were decreased by CoQ10 supplementation at both 20 and 40 mg/kg. The serum calcium level had significantly (P <0.01) increased with CoQ10 at 40 mg/kg (12.70 vs. 11.58 and 11.98 mg/dL) in NE diet group over the unsupplemented and 20 mg/kg supplemented birds. Compared to the respective unsupplemented groups, CoQ10 @40 mg/kg reduced (P <0.01) the serum total protein (4.69 vs. 5.23 g/dL) and serum albumin (2.46 vs. 2.78 g/dL) in NE group but increased (P <0.01) (4.70 vs. 4.08 g/dL) and (2.59 vs. 2.04 g/dL), respectively in LE group. High energy birds showed significantly (P <0.01) increased serum albumin (2.74 vs. 2.24 g/dL). The humoral immunity against Newcastle Disease (ND titre) was significantly (P <0.01) higher in 21 days of growth period at both the levels of supplementation but on 42 days no significant difference among the groups were observed. It can be concluded that CoQ10 supplementation at 20 mg/kg decreased blood glucose level and increased erythrocytes osmotic stability and hence, could reduce bird’s susceptibility to ascites.