The College of Agriculture at the University of Kirkuk recently discussed a PhD thesis titled “Measuring the Physiological Response Resulting from the Addition of Clove Seed Oil with or without Zinc Oxide to Laying Hens’ Diets: Impacts on Productive Traits and Egg Quality.” The defense committee included Professor Dr. Khalil Ibrahim Za'al Jawasrah from Jordan University of Science and Technology, who participated via video conference.
Thesis Overview
Presented by student Wa'ad Ahmed Kurdi, the research aimed to:
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Isolate and identify active compounds in clove seed oil (CSO), determining their proportions.
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Evaluate the physiological and productive responses of laying hens to diets supplemented with CSO, with or without zinc oxide (ZnO).
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Assess the impact of these dietary additions on egg quality traits.
Key Findings
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- Eugenol and beta-caryophyllene were isolated and quantified in CSO, with these compounds attributed to the oil’s beneficial health effects.
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- Adding CSO (with or without ZnO) led to significant improvements in:
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Productivity traits (e.g., egg production rates).
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Biochemical and oxidative parameters, including reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (a marker of oxidative stress) and increased glutathione (GSH) levels (an antioxidant).
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- Enhanced egg quality, underscoring the potential of CSO as a natural feed additive to improve hen health and productivity.
Implications
The study highlights clove seed oil’s promise as a sustainable alternative to synthetic additives in poultry nutrition, offering insights into optimizing dietary strategies for better animal welfare and agricultural efficiency.
