Corn at Different Storage Periods Affects Serum Antioxidant Function of Broilers

The study was conducted to determine the effects of corn at different storage periods on serum antioxidant function of broilers.One hundred and sixty-eight one-day-old Cobb broiler chickens were randomly divided into 6 groups with 7 replicates per group and 4 chickens per replicate.The storage time of corn was 0(the year when corn was harvested),1,2,3,4 and 5 years for each group(abbreviated as 0 year group,1 year group,2 year group,3 year group,4 year group and 5 year group),respectively.The trial lasted for 42 days.Serum antioxidant indices of broilers were tested at 21 and 42 days of age.The results showed as follows: 1) at 21 days of age,serum malonaldehyde(MDA) content of 0,1 and 2 year groups was significantly lower than that of 5 year group(P0.05),serum glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) and total superoxide dismutase(T-SOD) activities of 0,1 and 2 years were significantly higher than those of 3,4 and 5 year groups(P0.05),and serum vitamin E content of 4 and 5 year groups was significantly lower than that of 0(P0.01),1(P0.05),2(P0.05) and 3 year groups(P0.05).There were no significant differences in total antioxidant capability(T-AOC) and vitamin C content among different groups(P0.05).2) At 42 days of age,compared with 0 year group,serum T-AOC and GSH-Px activity of the other groups were significantly decreased(P0.01),and serum MDA content was significantly increased(P0.01).Serum T-SOD activity of 0 year group was significantly higher than that of 4 and 5 year groups(P0.05).There were no significant differences in serum vitamin C and vitamin E contents among different groups(P0.05).In conclusion,corn with longer storage time decreases serum antioxidant function of broilers.