EFFECTS OF MENTHA PULEGIUM EXTRACT AND VITAMIN E SUPPLEMENTATION ON LAYING HENS PERFORMANCE, EGG QUALITY, ANTIOXIDANT ENZYME ACTIVITY IN SERUM

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the supplementation of Mentha pulegium extract (MPE) and vitamin E on performance, egg quality and antioxidant enzyme activities of laying hens. The experiment study was conducted with 120 40 weeks old laying hens (Lohman LSL). Hens were given five dietary treatments of which each was repeated six times on 4 birds. Hens in the experiment groups were given 50 mg / kg MPE, 100 mg / kg MPE, 50 mg / kg vitamin E, 100 mg/kg vitamin E and the hens in control group were fed on basal diet. MPE and vitamin E supplementation did not make any change on feed consumption and egg weight but improved feed conversion ratio. Addition of 100 mg / kg MPE and vitamin E significantly increased the egg production. No significant difference were found between control and experimental groups in terms of shell thickness, yellowness, shape index and ratio of albumen, yolk and egg shell. However, MPE and vitamin E supplementation improved the shell breaking strength and Hough Unit. Dietary supplementation of MPE and vitamin E did not change AST, ALT, TG, cholesterol, HDL, LDL and glucose level in serum. Serum MDA value was decreased by MPE and vitamin E addition. Serum MDA levels were reduced by addition of MPE and vitamin E, but there was no difference in SOD activity among the groups. The addition of 50 and 100 mg / kg vitamin E significantly reduced the GSH-Px activity. As a result, 100 mg / kg MPE supplementation can be recommended as an alternative to antibiotic feed additives.