Abstract

The substantial genetic enhancement of broiler chickens, coupled with the use of growth-promoting additives in feed, has led to accelerated growth rates, and elevated fat deposition in broiler. Clove and tulsi, well-known medicinal plants, have been shown to improve both the growth performance and intestinal health of broilers. This study aimed to investigate the impact of clove and tulsi supplementation on the composition and cellular makeup in visceral and subcutaneous fat depots of broiler chickens. Sixty Cobb-500 broiler chicks were randomly divided into four groups to receive different supplemental treatments via drinking water. The groups included: S0 (control), receiving no additional supplements; S1, receiving 0.5% clove and 2% tulsi; S2, receiving 1% clove and 3% tulsi; and S3, receiving 1.5% clove and 4% tulsi from day 8 to 28. On days 14 and 28, five broilers from each group were euthanized, and their visceral and subcutaneous fat depots were collected, weighed, and subjected to histological analysis to assess adipocyte histomorphology and histomorphometry. The S1 and S2 groups exhibited higher relative percentages of visceral fat depot, larger adipocyte size, and a greater percentage of larger adipocytes compared to the control, while adipocyte density was lower. Conversely, the S3 group showed minimal deviation from the control. Notably, no significant histomorphological differences were observed among the experimental groups. These findings suggest that clove and tulsi supplementation may modulate adipose tissue dynamics and cellularity depending on the concentration of supplementation.

Key words: Broiler, Clove, Tulsi, Fat Depot, Adipocyte