Effect of Feed
Supplementation with Propolis on Liver and Kidney Morphology in
Broiler Chickens
I. Babińska*, K.
Kleczek1, W.
Makowski1 and J. Szarek
Department of
Pathophysiology, Forensic Veterinary Medicine and Administration,
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in
Olsztyn, ul. Oczapowskiego 13, 10-719 Olsztyn; 1Department
of Commodity Science and Animal Improvement,Faculty of
Animal Bioengineering, ul. Oczapowskiego 5, 10-719
Olsztyn,
Poland*Corresponding Author:
izabella.babinska@uwm.edu.pl
Abstract
Propolis is a
resin-like mixture produced by bees and composed of natural substances
demonstrating a broad range of biological activity, e.g. antibacterial,
anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidizing, immunostimulating and immunomodulating
effects. Among abundant research on its properties has been carried out but a
few reports concerning the use of this substance in animal production,
particularly in poultry breeding are available. There is little information
about its effects upon the morphology of individual organs and tissues
predisposed to damage as a result of intensive fattening of poultry. A-day old
400 chicks were divided into equal four groups. Group 1 and 2 served as negative
and positive control, respectively. Group 3 and 4 were kept on propolis (10 and
50 mg/kg of feed) supplemented feed for 42 days, respectively. At the end,
randomly selected 12 birds from each group were killed humanly. Gross lesions
were noted and liver and kidney samples were processed for histopathological
studies. The results demonstrated a protective effects of propolis
particularly upon the liver of broiler chickens, in which it reduced the
intensity of regressive lesions. This protective effect was noticeable
especially in the group of birds receiving a higher dose of propolis.