SOMASEKHAR REDDY, K(MAJOR)GOPALA REDDY, ANARASIMHA REDDY, YRAMAKRISHNAN, V2018-10-082018-10-082007-09http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810074953THESESABSTRACT: A total of 225 sexed male broiler chicks of day old age belonging to Vencobb strain were randomly divided into fifteen groups consisting of fifteen chicks in each group. Group 1 was maintained on basal diet and group 2 on FeSO4 @ 0.5% of feed for 42 days (6 wks). Groups 3 to 11 were given FeSO4 containing diet for the first 4 wks (28 days) and subsequently treated respectively with Withania somnifera, Ocimum sanctum, Asparagus racemosus, Andrographis paniculata, Murraya kienigii, shilajit, Gymnema sylvestra, Allium sativum and Spirulina each at 0.1% level in feed till the end of 6th wk, while groups 12 to 15 were given the combination of W.somnifera + A.racemosus + A.panicualta, W.somnifera + M.koenigii + A.sativum, Spirulina + Shilajit + G.sylvestre and A.paniculata + O.sanctum + A.racemosus, respectively. In combinations, each herb was added at 0.05% level in feed for the remaining 2 weeks. The performance parameters were recorded at weekly intervals. Antioxidant defense profile, biomarkers of hepatic damage, renal damage, lipid profile and protein profile in serum, and PHA index were estimated at the end of 4th and 6th wk. Histopathological studies and estimation of TBARS, GSH and HI titre was done at the end of 6th wk. Iron treatment resulted in significant (P<0.05) reduction in body weights, weekly weight gain, albumin, HDL cholesterol, HI titre (6th week), PHA index and GSH (6th week), while total protein, globulin, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, TBARS (6th week), SOD, catalase, ALT, BUN and creatinine were significantly (P<0.05) increased at the end of 4th week in groups 2 to 15 and all these parameters exhibited similar trend at the end of 6th week in iron toxic control group 2 that was maintained with out any treatment. Following the administration of herbs in test in groups 3 to 15, there was a marked improvement in all the above parameters as compared to those of iron toxic control group 2 at the end of 6th week. Histological abnormalities were also recorded in the liver and other tissues in iron toxic control group 2. Group 1 did not reveal any abnormalities on histopathology, while the treated groups revealed lesions of mild intensity or signs of regeneration. Thus, it is concluded that iron induces biological damage by means of oxidative stress and the herbs/herbal combinations in test offered better amelioration. The combination of W. somnifera + A. racemosus +A. paniculata was found superior as compared to the remaining herbs/combinations in test.ennullThesis