Journal of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine

Despite the important role of progesterone in egg production, the information on its impact on serum biochemistry is still scanty. This study was therefore carried out to identify and assess the impact of various doses of crystalline progesterone (CP) on serum biochemical parameters in Lohmann Brown layers over six weeks. A completely randomized design was used, with each treatment (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 mg per bird) of crystalline progesterone being administered intramuscularly via the breast muscle and replicated thrice. Data were analyzed using the GraphPad InStat^®package. Results indicated significant changes in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatinine (10 mg vs. 25 mg = 294 µmol/L vs. 152 µmol/L), non-significant (P>0.05) effect of CP serum glucose, blood urea nitrogen, and total protein. There was significant (p<0.05) effect of CP on median serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, calcium (5 mg vs. 20 mg = 3.6 mmol/L vs. 2.9 mmol/L), phosphorus (20 mg vs. 25 mg = 1.6 mmol/L vs. 2.8 mmol/L), cholesterol (0 mg vs. 25 mg = 3.1 mmol/L vs. 1.7 mmol/L) and albumin (20 mg vs. 25 mg = 22 g/L vs. 20 g/L) levels. Thus, these findings suggest potential implications in reproductive health and metabolic functions in poultry as CP administration diminishes the synthesis of calcium used in egg shell formation, which is a great loss for producers' income.