Research Article | | Peer-Reviewed

Effect of Aqueous Propolis Supplementation on Performance in Hematological and Serum Biochemical Parameters of Cobb 500 Broiler Chicken

Received: 4 August 2025     Accepted: 18 August 2025     Published: 9 December 2025
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Abstract

The increased usage of synthetic antibiotics for treatment and growth promotion in livestock has significantly resulted into antimicrobial resistance among livestock and human. To combat this challenge, the current study evaluated the effects of propolis, as a natural growth promoter, compared to a commercial synthetic booster on hematological and serum biochemical parameters of Cobb 500 broiler chickens. A total of 100 day-old chicks were randomly assigned to five treatment groups in a completely randomized design (CRD). The control group (CTR) received plain water, while the positive control group (CBB) received water supplemented with a commercial broiler booster. Three experimental groups (P1, P2, and P3) received propolis extract prepared from 100g, 200g, and 300g of raw propolis per liter of water, respectively. Birds were reared for 42 days, and blood samples were collected at days 3 and 42 for analysis of hematological and biochemical indices. The results showed that white blood cell indices responded variably to the type and dose of growth promoter. At day 42, the P1 group exhibited significantly elevated lymphocyte counts, suggesting enhanced humoral immunity. In contrast, the BST group showed increased neutrophil and monocyte levels, indicating possible innate immune activation or stress. Red blood cell parameters remained largely unchanged at day 3 but showed significant variations at day 42, particularly in MCV, MCHC, and RDW metrics, suggesting dose-related impacts on erythrocyte morphology. No significant differences were observed in total protein and cholesterol levels across all treatments, indicating minimal effects on liver function and lipid metabolism. Overall, the study suggests that moderate doses of propolis can enhance immune responses in broilers without adversely affecting blood biochemistry, supporting its use as a natural alternative to synthetic growth promoters.

Published in American Journal of Biomedical and Life Sciences (Volume 13, Issue 6)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajbls.20251306.11
Page(s) 114-121
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Propolis, Broiler Chickens, Hematology, Serum biochemistry, Immune Response, Growth Promoter

References
[1] Abdelsalam, M. E., El-Shafei, R. A., & Mohamed, M. A. (2019). Blood hematological and biochemical parameters and humoral immunity as affected by added dietary propolis supplementation of Cobb broiler chicks. Egyptian Journal of Nutrition and Feeds, 22(3), 491-500.
[2] Babaei, M., Moghaddam, A. Z., &Rezaei, A. (2016). Effects of dietary propolis supplementation on performance, immune response and blood characteristics of broiler chickens. Brazilian Journal of Poultry Science, 18(1), 49-56.
[3] Burdock, G. A. (1998). Review of the biological properties and toxicity of bee propolis (propolis). Food and Chemical Toxicology, 36(4), 347-363.
[4] Deng, W., Dong, X.- F., Tong, J. M., & Zhang, Q. (2012). The probiotic Bacillus licheniformis ameliorates heat stress?induced impairment of egg production, gut morphology, and intestinal mucosal immunity in laying hens. Poultry Science, 91(3), 575-582.
[5] Gadde, U., Kim, W. H., Oh, S. T., &Lillehoj, H. S. (2017). Alternatives to antibiotics for maximizing growth performance and feed efficiency in poultry: A review. Animal Health Research Reviews, 18(1), 26-45.
[6] Ghasemi, H. A., Ghasemi, R., Torki, M., &Khosravi, H. (2014). Supplementation of broiler diets with phytogenic products: Performance, immune responses and cecalmicroflora. South African Journal of Animal Science, 44(3), 211-221.
[7] Hashemipour, H., Kermanshahi, H., Golian, A., &Veldkamp, T. (2013). Effect of thymol and carvacrol feed supplementation on performance, antioxidant enzyme activities, fatty acid composition, digestive enzymes and immune response in broilers. Poultry Science, 92(8), 2059-2069.
[8] Huang, S., Zhang, C. P., Wang, K., Li, G. Q., & Hu, F. L. (2014). Recent advances in the chemical composition of propolis. Molecules, 19(12), 19610-19632.
[9] Jain, N. C. (1993). Essentials of veterinary hematology (5th ed.). Lea &Febiger.
[10] Krol, W., Scheller, S., Czuba, Z., &Sytykiewicz, H. (1993). Anti-oxidant property of ethanolic extract of propolis and its components. ZeitschriftfürNaturforschung C, 48(11-12), 982-985.
[11] Miller, J. K., Brzezinska-Slebodzinska, E., & Madsen, F. C. (1993). Oxidative stress, antioxidants, and animal function. Journal of Dairy Science, 76(9), 2812-2823.
[12] Orsi, R. O., Funari, S. R. C., Soares, A. M. V. C., Calvi, S. A., Oliveira, S. L., Sforcin, J. M., &Bankova, V. (2005). Immunomodulatory action of propolis on macrophage activation. Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases, 11(2), 135-139.
[13] Seven, P. T., Seven, I., Yilmaz, M., &Simsek, Ü. G. (2010). Effects of Turkish propolis on performance and digestive tract traits in broiler chicks. British Poultry Science, 51(6), 830-835.
[14] Seven, P. T., Yılmaz, S., Seven, I., Çiftçi, M., Azman, M. A., &Yılmaz, M. (2011). Effects of Turkish propolis on the growth performance, carcass characteristics and serum parameters of Japanese quails. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 164(3-4), 246-253.
[15] Shaddel-Tili, S., Rahimi, S., Karimi, A., &Baghery, A. (2017). Effect of propolis on growth performance and hematological parameters of broiler chickens. Poultry Science Journal, 5(2), 123-132.
[16] Donsbough, A. L., Powell, S., Waguespack, A., Bidner, T. D., & Southern, L. L. (2010). Effects of supplemental selenium on the performance and selenium status of broilers. Poultry Science, 89(11), 2526-2532.
[17] Thrall, M. A., Weiser, G., Allison, R. W., & Campbell, T. W. (Eds.). (2012). Veterinary hematology and clinical chemistry (2nd ed.). Wiley?Blackwell.
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    Azza, G. Z., Chenyambuga, S. W., Lyimo, C. M. (2025). Effect of Aqueous Propolis Supplementation on Performance in Hematological and Serum Biochemical Parameters of Cobb 500 Broiler Chicken. American Journal of Biomedical and Life Sciences, 13(6), 114-121. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbls.20251306.11

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    ACS Style

    Azza, G. Z.; Chenyambuga, S. W.; Lyimo, C. M. Effect of Aqueous Propolis Supplementation on Performance in Hematological and Serum Biochemical Parameters of Cobb 500 Broiler Chicken. Am. J. Biomed. Life Sci. 2025, 13(6), 114-121. doi: 10.11648/j.ajbls.20251306.11

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    AMA Style

    Azza GZ, Chenyambuga SW, Lyimo CM. Effect of Aqueous Propolis Supplementation on Performance in Hematological and Serum Biochemical Parameters of Cobb 500 Broiler Chicken. Am J Biomed Life Sci. 2025;13(6):114-121. doi: 10.11648/j.ajbls.20251306.11

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajbls.20251306.11,
      author = {Glory Zerah Azza and Sebastian Wilson Chenyambuga and Charles Moses Lyimo},
      title = {Effect of Aqueous Propolis Supplementation on Performance in Hematological and Serum Biochemical Parameters of Cobb 500 Broiler Chicken},
      journal = {American Journal of Biomedical and Life Sciences},
      volume = {13},
      number = {6},
      pages = {114-121},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajbls.20251306.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbls.20251306.11},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajbls.20251306.11},
      abstract = {The increased usage of synthetic antibiotics for treatment and growth promotion in livestock has significantly resulted into antimicrobial resistance among livestock and human. To combat this challenge, the current study evaluated the effects of propolis, as a natural growth promoter, compared to a commercial synthetic booster on hematological and serum biochemical parameters of Cobb 500 broiler chickens. A total of 100 day-old chicks were randomly assigned to five treatment groups in a completely randomized design (CRD). The control group (CTR) received plain water, while the positive control group (CBB) received water supplemented with a commercial broiler booster. Three experimental groups (P1, P2, and P3) received propolis extract prepared from 100g, 200g, and 300g of raw propolis per liter of water, respectively. Birds were reared for 42 days, and blood samples were collected at days 3 and 42 for analysis of hematological and biochemical indices. The results showed that white blood cell indices responded variably to the type and dose of growth promoter. At day 42, the P1 group exhibited significantly elevated lymphocyte counts, suggesting enhanced humoral immunity. In contrast, the BST group showed increased neutrophil and monocyte levels, indicating possible innate immune activation or stress. Red blood cell parameters remained largely unchanged at day 3 but showed significant variations at day 42, particularly in MCV, MCHC, and RDW metrics, suggesting dose-related impacts on erythrocyte morphology. No significant differences were observed in total protein and cholesterol levels across all treatments, indicating minimal effects on liver function and lipid metabolism. Overall, the study suggests that moderate doses of propolis can enhance immune responses in broilers without adversely affecting blood biochemistry, supporting its use as a natural alternative to synthetic growth promoters.},
     year = {2025}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Effect of Aqueous Propolis Supplementation on Performance in Hematological and Serum Biochemical Parameters of Cobb 500 Broiler Chicken
    AU  - Glory Zerah Azza
    AU  - Sebastian Wilson Chenyambuga
    AU  - Charles Moses Lyimo
    Y1  - 2025/12/09
    PY  - 2025
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbls.20251306.11
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajbls.20251306.11
    T2  - American Journal of Biomedical and Life Sciences
    JF  - American Journal of Biomedical and Life Sciences
    JO  - American Journal of Biomedical and Life Sciences
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    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2330-880X
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbls.20251306.11
    AB  - The increased usage of synthetic antibiotics for treatment and growth promotion in livestock has significantly resulted into antimicrobial resistance among livestock and human. To combat this challenge, the current study evaluated the effects of propolis, as a natural growth promoter, compared to a commercial synthetic booster on hematological and serum biochemical parameters of Cobb 500 broiler chickens. A total of 100 day-old chicks were randomly assigned to five treatment groups in a completely randomized design (CRD). The control group (CTR) received plain water, while the positive control group (CBB) received water supplemented with a commercial broiler booster. Three experimental groups (P1, P2, and P3) received propolis extract prepared from 100g, 200g, and 300g of raw propolis per liter of water, respectively. Birds were reared for 42 days, and blood samples were collected at days 3 and 42 for analysis of hematological and biochemical indices. The results showed that white blood cell indices responded variably to the type and dose of growth promoter. At day 42, the P1 group exhibited significantly elevated lymphocyte counts, suggesting enhanced humoral immunity. In contrast, the BST group showed increased neutrophil and monocyte levels, indicating possible innate immune activation or stress. Red blood cell parameters remained largely unchanged at day 3 but showed significant variations at day 42, particularly in MCV, MCHC, and RDW metrics, suggesting dose-related impacts on erythrocyte morphology. No significant differences were observed in total protein and cholesterol levels across all treatments, indicating minimal effects on liver function and lipid metabolism. Overall, the study suggests that moderate doses of propolis can enhance immune responses in broilers without adversely affecting blood biochemistry, supporting its use as a natural alternative to synthetic growth promoters.
    VL  - 13
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    ER  - 

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