Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the impact of lipid lowering and powerful antioxidant effect of Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) supplementation on growth performance, serum and meat lipid profile and antioxidant enzymes in two different broiler strains. A total of 360 one day old chicks, 180 Sasso T44 and 180 ISA Hubbard were randomly divided into two equal groups one considered control and the second supplemented with EGCG 95% at rate of 450 mg/kg ration each group was subdivided into 6 replicates each of 15 chicks. The obtained results revealed that EGCG supplementation had significantly reduced body weight at 42 day age (1582.41 vs. 1503.94 g) and 63 day old (2796.08 vs. 2604.19 g) and similarly within each breed treated groups of Sasso t44 and ISA Hubbard showed significantly lower weights at 42 and 63 days age however, ISA Hubbard showed more reduction in final body weight. Total weight gain reduced by EGCG supplementation. Feed intake had significantly reduced by treatment (6592.05 vs. 6061.78 g) and subsequently, feed conversion had improved by treatment (2.47 vs. 2.8). EGCG supplementation had significantly reduced mortality % (2.24 vs. 3.31 %). Serum total lipids, triacylglycerol and cholesterol and meat triacylglycerol and cholesterol had significantly reduced by EGCG supplementation. EGCG supplementation had significantly improved antioxidant enzymes as MDA significantly reduced in treated groups, while GPx and SOD were significantly increased. In conclusion, EGCG could be used as hypolipidemic feed additive and as a potent antioxidant improve general health status and to improve FCR and reduce mortality rate

Key words: Epigallocatechin gallate, broilers, growth performance, lipid profile, antioxidant enzymes