EFFECT OF TAURINE ON BLOOD BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS IN HENS UNDER HEAT STRESS CONDITIONS

Taurine is a non-protein amino acid that participates in processes related to the body’s response to stressful situations. Most animals, including birds, can synthesize taurine but at stress conditions, requirement increases and synthesis does not always meet the body’s needs. Given the potential benefits of taurine, our study was conducted to determine the efficacy of taurine on the blood biochemistry of laying hens subjected to heat stress. White Leghorn laying hens 180 days old were divided into 3 groups 16 birds each. The 1st group was the control, chickens of the 2nd and 3rd groups received taurine in the amount of 3 and 5 g/kg of the feed, respectively. The experiment was carried out in 2 stages. During the first 7 days, the chickens were kept in thermo-neutral conditions, at 20°С and 60-70% relative humidity (temperature-humidity index = 66). Blood samples were collected from 8 hens for further biochemical studies on the 7th day. Starting from the 8th day of the experimental period, the air temperature in the vivarium elevated to 35°С and 60-70% relative humidity (temperaturehumidity index = 86) for 6 hours every day. During the other 18 hours each day, these hens were kept at thermo-neutral conditions. After 7 days of exposure to chickens to elevated temperatures, blood samples were retaken. Biochemical analysis of blood showed changes in the alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase activities, contents of lipids, protein, uric acid, cortisol, and thyroxine in the blood plasma in response to heat stress, which allows for a preliminary assessment of the degree of damage to the relevant organs. Taurine mitigates the negative effects of heat stress by improving plasma parameters in birds. Research results can be of practical importance for improving the conditions of keeping birds in industrial poultry farming and developing strategies for protection against stress to ensure their welfare and health.