Effect of Thyme Essential Oil on Serum Lipid Profile and Renal Function in Meleagris gallopavo

Currently, aromatic plants and their extracts have become an interesting area of research as a means of improving animal health and productivity. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of thyme essential oil (thymol) on key metabolic functions in turkeys. Twenty (20) wild female turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) aged 16 days were used for the study. The animals were divided into two groups of 10 turkeys each. Group 1 (control) were fed with the normal diet, while group 2 (treatment) had thyme essential oil added to their diet, and administered for 30 days. The body weights of the animals were monitored throughout the treatment duration. After the treatment period, renal function parameters and serum lipids were evaluated. The average weight of the animals in the treatment group was 1420 g, which was twice as high as that of the control (690 g). Supplementation of poultry diet with thyme essential oil reduced serum levels of total cholesterol (2.76 ± 0.08 g/L), triglycerides (1.90 ± 0.52 g/L), urea (3.91 ± 0.95 g/L), and creatinine (1.68 ± 0.61 g/L), compared to the control group which had higher serum total cholesterol (5.15 ± 0.46 g/L), triglycerides (4.93 ± 0.95 g/L), urea (8.75 ± 2.25 g/L), and creatinine (6.45 ± 0.56 g/L). The present study highlighted the beneficial effect of thyme essential oil by improving serum biochemical parameters in turkeys. Therefore, the use of thyme essential oil in poultry feed should be encouraged in order to improve poultry health and productivity.