Contents of Selected Elements in the Blood Serum of Broiler Chickens After Supplementation of Humic Substances

This study was conducted to determine the concentrations of mineral substances, such as: calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn); in the blood serum of broiler chicks after supplementation of humic substances. Group 1 (G1) was supplemented with 0.7 % Humac Natur Mycosorb (HNMy); G2 with

0.7 % Humac Natur Monogastric (HNM); G3 with 0.3 % HNMy; and the control group (GC) received a basal diet without any supplements. In the G2 group, the serum Ca level increased slightly compared to the other experimental groups. A statistically significant decrease (P < 0.001) in the blood serum of Mg was detected in the broilers from group G2 (0.60 mmol.l⁻¹) and G1 (P < 0.05; 0.68 mmol.l⁻¹) in comparison to the GC. The Zn in the blood serum of broilers from group G2 (22.05 µmol.l⁻¹) was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in broilers from group G2 in comparison to the control group (19.47 µmol.l⁻¹) and G1 group (19.61 µmol.l⁻¹). The serum Cu (12.72 µmol.l⁻¹) was significantly increased (P < 0.001) in broilers from group G2 in comparison to the GC (10.28 µmol.l⁻¹). In the group G1 there was a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the level of the Cu in the blood serum (8.69 µmol.l⁻¹) in comparison to the serum Cu in broilers from groups G3 (10.45 µmol.l⁻¹) and G2 (12.72 µmol.l⁻¹). The addition of Humac Natur Mycosorb (0.3 % and 0.7 %) in the feed caused a strong correlation in the blood serum between the Ca and Mg (r = 0.7494; r = 0.7648). The addition of 0.3 % Humac Natur Mycosorb in the feed caused a high negative correlation (r = –0.7078) in the blood serum between the Mg and Zn.