This experiment was conducted to assess the inclusion of the by-products of pomegranate peels to ameliorate the harmful impacts of oxidative stress in the pre-peak period of laying hens. For this, 120 local Egyptian strain hens (Inshas hens) aged 24 weeks old were used in four treatments. Pomegranate peel powder was included at 2% and 4% in the diets of laying hens subjected to oxidative injuries induced by dexamethasone compared with negative and positive control groups for 12 weeks. The addition of pomegranate peel powder (PPP) reduced the adverse effects of oxidative stress induced by dexamethasone on body weight (p = 0.006) and egg production (p = 0.010) comparing to the positive control. Additionally, pomegranate peel powder had a significant positive lowering effect on plasma cholesterol (p < 0.001) and triglyceride contents (p = 0.005) compared to control groups. The lipid peroxidation indicators (MDA) were reduced, but the antioxidative enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GPx) and total antioxidant blood capacity were improved with PPP. Based on the obtained data, the present research recommends using dietary PPP up to 4% to mitigate adverse oxidative stress effects in the pre-peak laying period and as a sustainable and economical approach for agricultural development.
Keywords: laying hen production; oxidative stress; physiological response; pomegranate peel; pre-peak.