Impact of Bee Venom on Productive Performance, Immunity, and Antioxidant Status in Broiler Chickens

The purpose of this study was to figure out how supplementing broiler chickens' drinking water with bee venom (BV) improved their immunological response, antioxidant status, and productivity. BV is rich in bioactive peptides, mainly melittin and phospholipase A2, which are known for their antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. There were 360 one-day-old ROSS 308 broiler chicks, and they were randomly put into eight groups. According to strain recommendations, all groups were given a basic meal. As follows were the treatments: T1, negative control (drinking water only); T2, T3, and T4, drinking water supplemented with BV at 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mL/L, respectively; T5, T6, and T7, drinking water supplemented with BV combined with an antibiotic at 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mL/L, respectively; and T8, positive control (drinking water supplemented with antibiotic only). The results showed that BV supplementation, whether given alone or in combination with antibiotics, markedly enhanced growth performance, as seen by increased gain in body weight and an improved feed conversion ratio. The antioxidant status improved due to increased the level of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), the production of glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, while the levels of oxidative indicators, such as malondialdehyde (also known as MDA) and nitric oxide levels (NO), significantly decreased. Serum biochemical examination indicated no significant variations in total protein or albumin levels; however, globulin concentrations were elevated in the BV-treated groups relative to the control. Moreover, immunological function was enhanced, evidenced by substantial elevations in immunoglobulin levels (IgG, IgA, and IgM). These findings indicate that BV supplementation improves health and productivity in broiler chickens by enhancing antioxidant defenses, reducing oxidative damage, and supporting immune responses. Overall, BV shows strong potential as a natural growth promoter and functional feed additive, particularly during the early growth phase.