Reduction of ascites mortality in broilers by coenzyme Q10

mentation on growth performance and ascites were stud-ied in broilers. One hundred eighty 1-d-old Arbor Acre male broiler chickswere randomly allocated into 3 groups with 6 replicates each. From d 8, the diets were supple-mented with CoQ10 at levels of 0, 20, and 40 mg/kg, respectively. From d 15 to 21, all the chicks were exposed to low ambient temperature (15 to 18°C) to induce ascites. Average feed intake, BW gain, and feed conversion ratio of the broilers during 0 to 3 wk, 3 to 6 wk, and 0 to 6 wk were measured. The results showed that there were no influences observed on broilers ’ growth performance, but themortality due to ascites was reduced by CoQ10 supple-mentation (P ≤ 0.05). Erythrocyte osmotic fragility (EOF