| Summary: | Abstract Background The effects of dietary monosodium glutamate (MSG) on the serum electrolyte balance and antioxidant status of broiler chickens were assessed. In five replicates, a total of 300-day-old unsexed Abor–acre broilers were randomly allotted into six treatment groups containing varied levels of MSG at 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, and 1.25 g/kg diet, respectively. The experimental birds were fed ad libitum with clean water provided regularly for a period of 8 weeks. On the 56th day of the experiment, five birds per replicate were randomly selected and fasted overnight. Blood samples were collected from the wing veins for serum electrolytes analyses. Serum electrolytes such as sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), and chloride (Cl−) as well as oxidative stress indicators assay such as total antioxidant capacity (T-OAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were determined using standard procedures. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance at α = 0.05. Results The results revealed that MSG inclusion above 0.75 g/kg diet significantly (P < 0.05) increased the serum Na+ and K+ concentrations of the broiler chickens when compared with birds on the control diet, whereas the serum Cl− concentration significantly (P < 0.05) decreased from 0.50 g MSG/kg diet inclusion level. On the other hand, MSG inclusion level above 0.50 g/kg diet increased the serum MDA concentration (from 2.60 ± 0.01 to 4.60 ± 0.00) of the birds while serum GSH-Px and T-AOC concentrations significantly (P < 0.05) reduced from 170 ± 0.28 to 120 ± 0.26 and 3.30 ± 0.01 to 1.70 ± 0.01, respectively. Conclusion Inclusion level above 0.50 g/kg diet could adversely offset normal physiological processes in broilers by predisposing them to renal dysfunction, coronary problem, and oxidative stress.
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