Lycopene dietary supplementation enhances the productive performance, antioxidants and lipid profile parameters in a dual-purpose chicken breed

In the current investigation, the influence of lycopene supplementation in Gimmizah chickens on their productive performance and physiological responses was evaluated over 12 weeks experimental period. A three hundred of 4–weeks old Gimmizah chickens were randomly assigned to 5 groups, each comprising six replicates with 10 birds per replicate. Lycopene was incorporated into the basal diet at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg/kg diet for groups (control, L25, L50, L75 and L100 respectively). Lycopene supplementation significantly increased birds’ growth in L75 group which showed the highest body weight, weight gain, and feed intake (p < 0.05). Feed conversion ratio was improved lycopene groups compared to the control. Blood serum levels of total protein, albumin, and globulin were significantly increased by adding lycopene to chicken diets. In addition, the aspartate transaminase activity showed non-significant variation among experimental groups, while the alanine transaminase activity was significantly decreased by the dietary supplementation of lycopene. Blood levels of some lipid profile parameters (triglycerides and very low-density lipoprotein) showed a significant reduction with increasing lycopene level. Also, dietary supplementation of lycopene at 25 and 75 mg/kg diet statistically decreased total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein in the serum. Total antioxidant capacity levels were increased, while malondialdehyde levels were decreased in lycopene-treated groups. In conclusion, dietary lycopene supplementation in chickens’ diets enhanced their growth performance, and boosted the physiological functions by improving hematological indices, liver function, lipid profile, and antioxidant status. A supplemental dose of 75 mg of lycopene/kg of diet could be recommended to achieve optimal productive performance outcomes.