Effect of Diet Supplemented with Natural Humic Compounds and Sodium Humate on Performance and Selected Metabolic Variables in Broiler Chickens

Abstract

The effect of humic substances from different sources on the performance and selected biochemical indicators was studied in 150 one-day-old broiler chickens (Ross 308) divided into control (C) and two tested groups (n = 50). Chickens of tested groups were fed diets supplemented with natural humic compounds (group HS) and sodium humate (group HNa) at amounts of 5 g·kg -1 of feeds in phase 1 and 7 g·kg -1 of feeds in phases 2 and 3 of the fattening period. Higher final body weights (not significant) were observed in both tested groups (2527.6 g for HS; 2481.5 g for HNa) than in the control group (2476.6 g). The feed conversion ratio throughout the whole experiment was lower in the HS group (P < 0.001) and higher in the HNa group (P < 0.001) compared to the control group. The European Efficiency Index reached at the end of the experiment was the highest in the HS group (P < 0.001) and the lowest in the HNa group compared to the control group. Differences in total protein, albumin, total lipids, triglycerides and phosphorus among the tested groups were not significant. Higher values of Ca (P < 0.05) in the HS group and lower cholesterol (P < 0.05) in the HNa group were observed after 14 days; lower AST (P < 0.05) in the HS group and lower calcium (P < 0.05) and higher glucose (P < 0.01) in the HNa group were observed after 35 days of the experiment in comparison with the control group.

Full text

Effect of Diet Supplemented with Natural Humic Compounds and Sodium Humate
on Performance and Selected Metabolic Variables in Broiler Chickens
Alena Šamudovská, Mária Demeterová
Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Animal Breeding, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy,
Košice, Slovak Republic
Received June 16, 2009
Accepted January 19, 2010
Abstract
The effect of humic substances from different sources on the performance and selected
biochemical indicators was studied in 150 one-day-old broiler chickens (Ross 308) divided
into control (C) and two tested groups (n = 50). Chickens of tested groups were fed diets
supplemented with natural humic compounds (group HS) and sodium humate (group HNa) at
amounts of 5 g·kg-1 of feeds in phase 1 and 7 g·kg-1 of feeds in phases 2 and 3 of the fattening
period. Higher nal body weights (not signicant) were observed in both tested groups
(2527.6 g for HS; 2481.5 g for HNa) than in the control group (2476.6 g). The feed conversion
ratio throughout the whole experiment was lower in the HS group (P < 0.001) and higher in the
HNa group (P < 0.001) compared to the control group. The European Efciency Index reached
at the end of the experiment was the highest in the HS group (P < 0.001) and the lowest in the
HNa group compared to the control group. Differences in total protein, albumin, total lipids,
triglycerides and phosphorus among the tested groups were not signicant. Higher values of Ca
(P < 0.05) in the HS group and lower cholesterol (P < 0.05) in the HNa group were observed after
14 days; lower AST (P < 0.05) in the HS group and lower calcium (P < 0.05) and higher glucose
(P < 0.01) in the HNa group were observed after 35 days of the experiment in comparison with
the control group.
Humic substances, production, biochemical indices
Humic substances are natural, yellow to brown-black coloured organic compounds
with a relatively high molecular weight ranging from 2 to 200 kDa, that originate from
the decomposition of plant and animal remains (Stevenson 1994). This process of
decomposition is called humication. Humic substances can be found in soil, peat, lignites,
brown coals, sewage, natural waters and their sediments. The content of humic substances
in these materials varies from trace amounts in sands and clays to tens of per cents (3-
10%) in brown coal. Extremely high amount (up to 85%) is present in the lignite, the peat
and the oxyhumolite (oxidised brown coal) (Pe ña- Mén dez et al. 2005; Sko kan ová and
Dercová 2008). Humic substances contain humin, humic acid, fulvic acid, ulmic acid and
some microelements (Stevenson 1994) such as iron, manganese, copper and zinc (Aiken
et al. 1985). Nowadays, humic substances are used in agriculture, industry (building
industry, woodworking industry, ceramic industry and paper industry), environmental and
bio-medicine. In agriculture they are used mainly as fertilizers in the form of humates to
increase soil fertility, to increase transfer of micronutrients from soil to plants, to increase
seed germination rates, and to reduce the usage of mineral fertilizers (P eña -Mé nde z et
al. 2005). The main function of humic substances in environmental chemistry is to reduce
the toxic effect of residual amounts of heavy metals, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides,
nematicides, dioxins and radionuclides and other harmful substances in water and soil (Shin
et al. 1999; Loffre do et al. 2000; Kucuker san et al. 2005). In the veterinary medicine
they are used in horses, ruminants, swine and poultry for the treatment of diarrhoea,
dyspepsia and acute intoxications. They have a protective action on the mucosa of the
intestine via a protective lm formation (Kucuker san et al. 2005). They can also bind
ACTA VET. BRNO 2010, 79: 385–393; doi:10.2754/avb201079030385
Address for correspondence:
MVDr. Alena Šamudovská
Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Animal Breeding
University of Veterinary Medicine, Komenského 73
041 81 Košice, Slovak Republic
Phone: +421 910 460 957
E-mail: alena.samudovska@post.sk
http://www.vfu.cz/acta-vet/actavet.htm

toxic metals and other toxic substances by the formation of insoluble and non-resorbable
complexes (A lva rez -Puebla et al. 2004) and have antiphlogistic and antimicrobial
properties (EMEA 1999). In recent years the interest in the use of humic substances in
animal husbandry has increased. Many authors in their studies observed an improvement
in growth and feed conversion, and reduction of animal mortality after addition of humic
substances into feedstuff (Er en et al. 2000; Koc aba ğli et al. 2002; Karaoglu et al. 2004;
Ji et al. 2006; El- Hus sei ny et al. 2008). An improvement in egg production and egg
weight was observed in a study of the effect of humic acids in laying hens performed by
Kucukersan et al. (2005). Although there is not enough evidence to hypothesize how
humates promote growth, it is assumed that humates might increase the uptake of nitrogen,
phosphorus and other nutrients due to their chelating properties (Kocabağli et al. 2002).
The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of supplementation of
natural humic compounds and sodium humate on the performance and selected biochemical
indicators of broilers.
Materials and Methods
Birds and diets
In this study, a total of 150 unsexed one-day-old broiler chickens (Ross 308) obtained from a commercial supplier
were used. Chickens were weighed, randomly divided into three groups: one control (C) and two tested groups (HS,
HNa) with 50 chicks per group. Birds were housed on deep bedding in agreement with the technological instruction for
Ross 308 chickens, with controlled light, temperature, animal hygiene and feeding regime. Birds were fed a complete
mixture in the mash form according to the growth phases (phase 1: week 1 to 2; phase 2: week 3 to 5; phase 3: week
6) ad libitum. The composition of feed mixtures is shown in Table 1. The tested group diets were supplemented with
natural humic compounds (oxyhumolite - total humic acids 68%, free humic acids 48%, minerals 18%; locality Dudar,
Hungary) (group HS) and sodium humate (dry matter 84.8%, humic acids 63.2%, ash 36.9% in dry matter) (group
HNa) at different amounts: 5 g·kg-1 of diet during rst two weeks and 7 g·kg-1 of diet from week 3 to 6. No antibiotic
growth promoters or anticoccidials were used in the diets.
Birds were individually weighed and the feed consumption was observed weekly. Body weight gain (BWG) and
feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated. Mortality was recorded as it occurred and percentage of mortality
was determined on day 35 and at the end of the study. The following equation was used for the evaluation of
results using European Efciency Index (EEI):
EEI = live weight (kg) × liveability × 100
age (days) × feed conversion
Blood samples were collected from ten birds in each group on days 14 and 35 of experiment from the jugular
vein for biochemical analysis.
The experiment was carried out in the barns of the Institute of Animal Nutrition and Dietetics at the University
of Veterinary Medicine in Košice in compliance with the EU regulations concerning the protection of experimental
animals. The experiment was carried out with the consent of the institutional Animal Care and University Ethics
Committee.
Analytical methods
Diets were analyzed for dry mater, crude protein, ether extract, crude bre and ash by the AOAC (2001).
Total protein, albumin, glucose, total lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate
aminotransferase, calcium and phosphorus blood serum concentrations were determined by spectrophotometry
using commercial Bio-La-Tests (Pliva-LaChema Brno Ltd., Czech Republic).
Statistical analysis
Statistical evaluation of the effects of natural humic compounds and sodium humate on body weight, feed
conversion ratio, European Efciency Index and biochemical indices of chickens among the groups was performed
by one-way ANOVA (analysis of variance) and signicance of mean differences between the groups was tested by
Tukey-Kramer multiple comparison test (level of signicance set at P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.001).
Results and Discussion
Composition, nutrient and metabolizable energy content of diets for the control and
tested groups used in experimental periods are shown in Table 1. Diets used in the control
and tested groups in respective periods were isoenergetic and isonitrogenous.
There were no signicant differences in the initial body weights of chicks between
386

groups at the beginning of the experiment (C 41.5 ± 0.5 g; HS 40.8 ± 0.5 g; HNa 40.9 ± 0.5
g). Birds in both tested groups had higher nal body weights than birds in the control group
(Table 2). The highest nal body weight was found in the group of birds fed the diet with
natural humic compounds (HS), but with no signicant differences between groups. The
body weights of chickens in both tested groups were lower compared to the control group
in the individual weeks of
the experiment until week 5.
Signicant differences were
observed between the HNa
group and the control group
after the rst week of the
experiment (10.3 %; P < 0.01).
The average body weight
gain and feed conversion ratio
values in respective phases are
shown in Table 3. The average
BWG was lower in both tested
387
Table 1. Composition, nutrient and metabolizable energy content of diets
C - control group; HS - group with natural humic compounds; HNa - group with sodium humate; DM - Dry
matter; ME - Metabolizable energy
1, 2, 3 mineral-vitamin premix (per kg) 1 – Ca 95 g, P 135 g, Na 75 g, Mg 5 g, DL-methionine 80 g, vit.A 600,000
IU, D3 135,000 IU, E 900 mg, K3 150 mg, panthotenic acid 600 mg, niacin 4000 mg, cholin chloride 20,000 mg,
B6 150 mg, B12 900 g, biotin 3000 g, folic acid 76,000 g, vit. C 2000 mg, Fe 1500 mg, Cu 500 mg, Zn 3000
mg, Mn 5000 mg, I 25 mg, Se 23 mg, Co 10 mg, 2 – Ca 100 g, P 135 g, Na 75 g, Mg 5 g, DL-methionine 80 g,
vit. A 425,000 IU, D3 84,000 IU, E 900 mg, K3 100 mg, pantotenic acid 420 mg, niacin 3400 mg, cholin chloride
14,200 mg, B6 100 mg, B12 640 g, biotin 2150 g, folic acid 54,500 g, vit.C 1400 mg, Fe 1500 mg, Cu 500 mg,
Zn 3000 mg, Mn 5000 mg, I 25 mg, Se 23 mg, Co 10 mg, 3 – Ca 110 g, P 145 g, Na 75 g, Mg 9 g, DL-methionine
55 g, vit. A 370,000 IU, D3 135,000 IU, E 900 mg, K3 95 mg, panthotenic acid 370 mg, niacin 3880 mg, cholin
chloride 14,000 mg, B6 95 mg, B12 560 g, biotin 1850 g , folic acid 47,000 g, vit.C 1240 mg, Fe 1500 mg, Cu
500 mg, Zn 3000 mg, Mn 5000 mg, I 25 mg, Se 23 mg, Co 10 mg
4 – oxyhumolite - (locality Dudar, Hungary)
Week 1–2 Week 3–5 Week 6
Ingredients (g·kg-1) C HS HNa C HS HNa C HS HNa
Maize 435 435 435 500 500 500 500 500 500
Wheat 121 116 116 90 83 83 104 97 97
Soybean meal (45%) 360 360 360 330 330 330 310 310 310
Vegetable oil 40 40 40 40 40 40 50 50 50
Limestone 20 20 20 16 16 16 15 15 15
Vitamin-mineral premix1,2,3 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
Lysine 4 4 4 4 4 4 1 1 1
Natural humic compounds4 – 5.0 – – 7.0 – – 7.0 –
Sodium humate – – 5.0 – – 7.0 – – 7.0
Analysis (g.kg-1DM)
Dry mater 896.9 895.6 898.3 900.2 898.0 897.0 893.9 896.6 905.8
Crude protein 249.9 251.2 249.4 230.5 225.6 232.1 218.7 214.6 221.9
Ether extract 70.1 69.5 72.3 71.9 69.7 69.0 80.3 81.8 78.3
Crude bere 36.7 37.1 40.2 44.3 42.3 37.2 42.6 36.3 38.3
Ash 82.3 81.7 73.7 66.9 68.9 66.3 66.0 70.8 68.6
ME (MJ.kg-1 DM) 13.3 13.3 13.3 13.3 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.5 13.5
Table 2. Average body weight (g/chick) of broilers during experiment
(x ± SEM)
Week Control HS HNa
1 125.7 ± 3.1a 119.5 ± 2.5 112.7 ± 2.7b
2 342.9 ± 11.6 332.9 ± 8.4 312.0 ± 10.9
3 726.2 ± 29.4 706.4 ± 22.6 677.1 ± 30.4
4 1292.0 ± 45.4 1264.7 ± 31.5 1201.2 ± 49.3
5 1926.9 ± 56.0 1918.5 ± 42.6 1880.3 ± 54.7
6 2476.6 ± 74.7 2527.6 ± 68.8 2481.5 ± 80.6
HS - group with natural humic compounds; HNa - group with sodium
humate, ab signicant differences (P < 0.01)

groups than in the control
group throughout phase 1 of
the study. The lowest BWG
was observed in the HNa
group. Throughout phase 2 the
highest BWG were in the HS
group and the lowest in the
HNa group. Both tested groups
had higher BWG than the
control group in phase 3. The
highest BWG were observed
in the HS group. Considering
the whole experiment period
the BWG were higher in both
tested groups than in the control
group (HS 2486.8 g, HNa
2440.8 g, C 2435.1 g) (Fig. 1). The most intensive growth rate was noticed in chickens of
the HS group. Noticeably higher intensity of growth was observed in both tested groups
from week 4 of the experiment.
While in phase 1 the FCR in the HS group was higher (P < 0.01) and in phase 2 similar
to control, in phase 3 it was signicantly lower (P < 0.01). The FCR was higher in the
HNa group in all phases of the study (signicantly in phase 2, P < 0.01) compared to
control. The FCR throughout the whole experimental period was signicantly lower in
the HS group (1.69 kg·kg-1 BWG) (P < 0.001) and signicantly higher in the HNa group
(1.86 kg·kg-1 BWG) (P < 0.001) compared to control (1.77 kg·kg-1 BWG) (Fig. 2).
Apparently, the higher weight gain in the HS group was caused by better feed efciency,
whereas in the HNa group by higher feed intake.
Similar to our study, the best stimulating effect on the growth of chickens in the last
weeks of experiment was observed in the study by Kocabağli et al. (2002) who examined
the effects of dietary humate (Farmagülatör DRYTM) supplementation at 2.5 kg/per ton of
feed on broiler performance from day 0 to day 42. Body weights of chickens at 21 days
were not affected by the dietary regimens. Body weights and feed conversion ratio of
broilers were signicantly affected by the dietary humate treatments at 42 days.
388
Table 3. Average body weight gains (g/chick) and feed conversion
ratio (kg feed consumed/kg weight gain) of broilers during experiment
(x ± SEM)
Control HS HNa
Body weight gains
week 1 - 2 301.4 292.2 271.0
week 3 - 5 1584.1 1585.6 1568.3
week 6 549.6 609.1 601.5
Feed conversion ratio
week 1 - 2 1.15 ± 0.017a 1.24 ± 0.012b 1.18 ± 0.015
week 3 - 5 1.71 ± 0.013a 1.72 ± 0.013a 1.80 ± 0.010b
week 6 2.29 ± 0.033a 1.85 ± 0.073b 2.38 ± 0.068c
HS - group with natural humic compounds; HNa - group with sodium
humate
ab signicant differences (P < 0.01); bc signicant differences (P < 0.001)
HS - group with natural humic compounds; HNa - group with sodium humate
Fig. 1. Average body weight gain (g/chick) throughout the experiment (42 days)

Signicantly higher growth rate and better
feed conversion were also observed in chickens
fed diets containing 0.25% and 0.125% of humic
substances (Farmagülatör DRYTM) compared to
chickens fed a diet without any supplements and
chickens fed a diet containing natural mineral
clay (Diatomaceous Earth) in the study of El -
Husseiny et al. (2008).
Karaoglu et al. (2004) reported that
humate supplementation to diets of broilers (at
concentrations of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3%) had no
effect on the performance. A slight improvement
(approximately 2% compared to control) was
observed in the feed conversion ratio for the
group fed the diet containing 0.1% humate.
Ozturk et al. (2010) found improved body
weight gains and feed efciency without affecting
the feed intake of broiler chicken when humic
acid was added to the drinking water at a dose of
300 ppm. The high humic acid-treated chickens
(450 ppm) showed a reduction in body weight.
Yörük et al. (2004) observed that feed
conversion efciency (weight of feed/weight
of eggs) in laying hens decreased linearly with
increasing concentrations of supplemental
humate.
Mortality in the control group fed the diet
without supplementation was higher than that
in groups fed diets containing humic substances
(C 4.1%; HS 4.0%; HNa 0%). No changes in the
health status of chickens were noticed during the
whole experimental period. The cause of death
of chickens in control and HS groups was the
sudden death syndrome. Our results were similar
to the results of studies by Yö rük et al. (2004),
Karaoglu et al. (2004) and Islam et al. (2008).
The values of European Efciency Index
were lower in both tested groups (321.9 for
HS; 317.5 for HNa) compared to the control
group on day 35 of the study (326.7) (Fig. 3)
with a signicant difference between the HNa
and control groups (P < 0.05). The highest EEI
values were observed in the HS group (342.7)
(P < 0.001) on day 42 of the experiment due
to more intense growth and better FCR, which
represents a difference of 7.2% (319.7) and
8.0% (317.4) compared to control and HNa
groups, respectively. The lowest EEI value
was in the HNa group. A higher EEI in the
treatment group compared to the control group
was reported by He rzi g et al. (2001) who
389
After 14 days After 35 days
Control HS HNa Control HS HNa
Total protein (g·l-1) 26.54  1.89 28.97  1.10 27.45  1.22 29.93  0.90 27.04  0.78 27.97  0.73
Albumin (g·l-1) 12.90  0.30 14.01  0.47 12.91  0.45 13.85  0.50 13.67  0.45 12.15  0.70
Glucose (mmol·l-1) 13.81  0.34 14.87  0.83 14.86  0.47 12.54  0.67a 14.02  0.51 15.03  0.33c
Total lipids (g·l-1) 5.27  0.26 5.85  0.43 5.43  0.25 3.88  0.40 3.93  0.17 4.84  0.22
Cholesterol (mmol·l-1) 3.66  0.39a 2.88  0.15 2.41  0.38b 3.00  0.14 3.05  0.16 3.55  0.15
Triglycerides (mmol·l-1)
2.94  0.50 2.84  0.39 2.97  0.39 0.61  0.13 0.64  0.10 0.55  0.09
ALP (μkat·l-1) 437.27  53.02 615.49  80.50a 319.86  45.11b 111.46  27.48 118.30  12.89 108.55  19.13
AST (μkat·l-1) 1.70  0.15 1.59  0.19 1.54  0.25 3.17  0.32a 1.96  0.23b 2.54  0.35
Ca (mmol·l-1) 2.63  0.05a 3.68  0.35b 3.25  0.17 2.38  0.06a 2.20  0.06 2.11  0.05b
P (mmol·l-1) 2.35  0.10 2.00  0.08 2.26  0.19 2.77  0.14 3.10  0.27 2.99  0.30
Table 4. Metabolic variables in chicken blood serum (x  SEM; n = 10) after 14 and 35 days of experiment
HS - group with natural humic compounds; HNa - group with sodium humate; ab signicant differences (P < 0.05); ac signicant differences (P < 0.01)

spread a humin acid-based sorbent (oxyhumolite) onto the oor of the room where the
experimental group of broiler chickens was kept.
The metabolic variables in blood serum analysed on days 14 and 35 of the study are
shown in Table 4. While after 14 days of experiment, the concentrations of total protein
and albumin were higher in both tested groups than in control, after 35 days of experiment
the values of both variables were lower in the tested groups than in control. Differences
between groups were not signicant. The variables of energy metabolism after 14 days
of the study showed non-signicantly higher concentrations of glucose and total lipids,
and lower concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides in the HS group than in control.
Higher concentrations of glucose, total lipids and triglycerides and signicantly lower
concentrations of cholesterol (P < 0.05) were observed in the HNa group compared to
control. Values of the above mentioned energy metabolism variables were higher in the
HS group than in control after 35 days. No signicant differences were observed between
groups. Lower concentrations of triglycerides, higher concentrations of cholesterol and
total lipids, and signicantly higher concentrations of glucose (P < 0.01) were measured in
the HNa group compared to control after 35 days. The activity of AST after days 14 and 35
was lower in both treatment groups than in control with a signicant difference after day 35
between control and the HS group (P < 0.05). Signicantly higher activity of ALP in the HS
390
HS - group with natural humic compounds; HNa - group with sodium humate; ***P < 0.001
HS - group with natural humic compounds; HNa - group with sodium humate; *P < 0.05; ***P < 0.001
Fig. 2. Average feed conversion ratio throughout the experiment (42 days)
Fig. 3. European Efciency Index on days 35 and 42 of the study
day 35 day 42

group than in the HNa group (P < 0.05) was noticed after day 14. The difference between
HS and control groups was not signicant. Higher values of ALP activity in the HS group
compared to the HNa and control groups but without any signicant differences were also
found after day 35. The increase of ALP activity may be induced by osteoblast activity,
such as skeletal growth, which is greater in young and growing animals (Hassanaba di
et al. 2007). Herzig et al. (2009) found non-signicantly higher ALP activity in chickens
after treatment with a diet containing humic acid (500 mg per chicken and day). Whereas
in both tested groups higher contents of Ca and lower contents of P compared to control
were found after day 14, lower contents of Ca and higher contents of P were found in
tested groups compared to control after day 35. Signicant differences were noticed in the
contents of Ca between HS and control groups after day 14 (P < 0.05) and between HNa
and control groups after day 35 (P < 0.05). The increase of serum Ca after day 14 can be
one of the contributory factors of better growth and performance (Kadam et al. 2009).
The reduction of serum concentrations of Ca after day 35 may be due to metal chelating
effects of humic acids that are affected by a large number of carboxylic acid side chains
(Klocking 1994).
Rath et al. (2006) using humic acids in the diets for broiler chickens at concentrations of
0.5, 1.0 and 2.5% observed their effect on serum chemistry values at high concentration after
5 weeks of trial. Except for cholesterol, triglyceride, creatinine and lactate dehydrogenase,
there was a trend of decrease in protein, albumin, glucose, creatine kinase, blood urea
nitrogen, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotranspherase, Ca, Fe and P concentrations.
Avci et al. (2007) reported that biochemical indicators such as P, K, Fe, Cu, Zn, total
protein, glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride of Japanese quails were not affected by the
dietary humic acids at amounts of 360, 480 and 600 mg/kg of diet. But concentrations of
Ca were signicantly increased in the experimental groups compared to control.
Signicantly lower concentrations of cholesterol in serum of chickens fed a diet
supplemented with humate (Farmagülatör DRYTM) at concentrations 0.25 and 0.125% on
day 35 of trial were found by El-Husseiny et al. (2008).
Kaya and Tunc er (2009) found that live weights, weight gains, feed intake, feed
conversion ratio as well as serum total protein, triglyceride and cholesterol values in broiler
chickens were not signicantly affected by the addition of humic acids at the amount of
2.5 kg per ton of feed.
Comparing results of studies by many researches worldwide, performance differences
due to humate supplementation might result from the compositional differences among the
commercially available humate products (Kocabağli et al. 2002).
In conclusion, our study showed that the addition of natural humic substances to the broiler
chicken diets yields better results on the performance than the addition of sodium humate.
The nal body weight was non-signicantly higher in both tested groups than in the control
group. The feed conversion ratio was signicantly better in the HS group and worse in
the HNa group compared to the control group. At the end of the experiment, on day 42 of
chickens age, signicantly higher EEI values were observed in the HS group due to more
intensive growth and better feed conversion compared to the control and HNa groups.
Vplyv suplementácie kŕmnych zmesí prírodnými humínovými látkami
a humátom sodným na produkciu a niektoré ukazovatele
intermediárneho metabolizmu u brojlerových kurčiat
V pokuse bol sledovaný vplyv humínových látok z rozličných zdrojov na produkciu
a niektoré biochemické ukazovatele u brojlerových kurčiat (n = 150, Ross 308) rozde-
lených do kontrolnej (skupina C) a dvoch pokusných skupín (n = 50) kŕmených diétou su-
plementovanou prírodnými humínovými látkami (skupina HS) a humátom sodným (skupi-
391

na HNa) v množstve 5 g·kg-1 krmiva v prvej a 7 g·kg-1 krmiva v druhej a tretej fáze výkrmu.
V oboch pokusných skupinách bola zaznamenaná nesignikantne vyššia nálna hmotnosť
kurčiat (HS 2527,6 g; HNa 2481,5 g) ako v kontrolnej skupine (C 2476.6 g). Za celé sle-
dované obdobie bola v skupine HS zaznamenaná nižšia (P < 0,001) a v skupine HNa vyššia
(P < 0,001) konverzia krmiva v porovnaní s kontrolnou skupinou. V skupine HS bola na
konci pokusu stanovená vyššia (P < 0,001) a v skupine HNa nižšia hodnota Indexu efek-
tívnosti výkrmu oproti kontrolnej skupine. Rozdiely v koncentrácii celkových proteínov,
albumínu, celkových lipidov, triglyceridov a fosforu v krvnom sére medzi skupinami nebo-
li štatistický významné. Po 14 dňoch pokusu bola v skupine HS nameraná vyššia hladina
vápnika (P < 0,05), v skupine HNa nižšia hladina cholesterolu (P < 0,05) a po 35 dňoch
bola v skupine HS nameraná nižšia hladina AST (P < 0,05) a v skupine HNa nižšia hladina
vápnika (P < 0,05) a vyššia hladina glukózy (P < 0,01) ako v kontrolnej skupine.
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic (research project VEGA No.
1/0677/08)
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