Effects of Copper Sources and Levels on Lipid Profiles, Immune Parameters, Antioxidant Defenses, and Trace Element Residues in Broilers

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of copper sources and levels on lipid profiles, immune parameters, antioxidant defenses, and trace element contents of meat and liver in Arbor Acres broilers. A total of 504 male broilers were randomly divided into 7 groups with 6 replicates per group and 12 broilers per replicate. The experiment was used in a 3 × 2 + 1 factorial experiment design; broilers in the control group were fed a basal diet, and broilers in the other six groups were fed basal diets supplemented with 3 sources (copper sulfate, tribasic copper chloride, and copper methionate) and 2 levels (10 and 20 mg/kg). The results showed that the levels of cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in broilers were significantly decreased with the increase of dietary copper level (P < 0.05). Serum IL-6 and IgA contents, ceruloplasmin and GSH-Px activities, and liver copper contents of broilers increased significantly with dietary copper levels (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, dietary copper supplementation significantly decreased serum cholesterol (P < 0.05) and significantly increased serum IL-6, ceruloplasmin, SOD, GSH-Px, and liver copper (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation of basic copper chloride and copper methionate significantly decreased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol content and liver iron content (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary copper supplementation can effectively reduce serum cholesterol content and improve immune and antioxidant functions in broilers. Adding 20 mg/kg copper to broiler diet can increase the copper content in the liver, but it will not affect the copper content in the chicken.