Two weeks of dietary supplementation with green tea powder does not affect performance, d-xylose absorption, and selected serum parameters in broiler chickens

The aim of the present study was to investigate the putative effects of dietary supplementation with green tea powder on growth performance, d-xylose absorption as well as serum-selected parameters of broiler chickens. Forty 21-day-old chickens were randomly allocated into four groups and fed with diets supplemented with 0% (control), 1%, 2%, or 4% green tea powder for 2 weeks. At the end of the experiment, d-xylose absorption test was performed on all birds on a 45-min basis for 135 min, and PCV as well as serum total protein, total cholesterol, LDL-c, HDL-c, triglycerides, iron, calcium, and phosphorus concentrations were assayed. Body weight, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were also recorded during the experiment. No significant differences were observed in plasma d-xylose concentrations, PCV, or serum parameters among different groups (p > 0.05). Differences in body weight, feed intake, and FCR were insignificant as well. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with green tea powder for 2 weeks has no adverse effect on PCV, intestinal absorption of d-xylose, serum total protein, lipid profile, and mineral concentrations as well as performance parameters of broiler chickens.