Effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa Calyx Supplementation on Productive and Blood Parameters in Broiler Chickens Exposed to Intermittent Heat Stress
Authors
- L. E. Santillan-Padilla Department of Veterinary Medicine, University Center for Biological and Agricultural Sciences, University of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
-
A. Santerre
Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University Center for Biological and Agricultural Sciences, University of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
-
J. Bañuelos-Pineda
-
J. R. Cuéllar-Pérez
-
M. Rosales-Cortes
-
L. O. Aguirre-López
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3923/ijps.2026.25.32Keywords:
Heat stress , Hibiscus sabdariffa, Pro-inflammatory cytokines, polyphenols, broiler chicken.Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with Hibiscus sabdariffa (Hs) calyces on productive performance, hematological parameters, plasma corticosterone and serum concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in broiler chickens exposed to intermittent heat stress.
Materials and Methods: A total of 208 Cobb 500 broiler chickens were randomly allocated to four experimental groups: Control (thermoneutral conditions, no Hs), CHs (thermoneutral conditions, 2% Hs), Stre (heat stress for 5 consecutive hours per day, no Hs) and Stre/Hs (heat stress, 2% Hs). Two ambient temperature conditions (25 and 35°C) and dietary treatments were applied from day 28 to day 49 of age. Feed intake, water intake, body weight and feed conversion ratio were recorded throughout the experimental period. On day 49, blood samples were collected for leukocyte differential counts and determination of corticosterone, IL-6 and TNF-α concentrations.
Results: Broilers exposed to heat stress (Stre and Stre/Hs) exhibited reduced body weight and feed intake and increased feed conversion ratios, reflecting diminished productive efficiency compared with thermoneutral groups. Heat stress was associated with elevated circulating corticosterone and decreased proportions of lymphocytes and monocytes. Although, Hs supplementation did not improve productive performance, it significantly reduced serum IL-6 and TNF-α concentrations in both thermoneutral and heat-stressed birds, indicating a modulatory effect on the inflammatory response.
Conclusion: Dietary supplementation with 2% H. sabdariffa calyces mitigated the pro-inflammatory response induced by intermittent heat stress, as evidenced by reduced IL-6 and TNF-α concentrations, without significantly affecting productive performance in broiler chickens.
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Copyright (c) 2026 L. E. Santillan-Padilla, A. Santerre, J. Bañuelos-Pineda, J. R. Cuéllar-Pérez, M. Rosales-Cortes, L. O. Aguirre-López
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