The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with α-tocopherol, ascorbic acid and selenium, alone or in combination, on growth performance, oxidative status, antioxidative protection, breast meat quality and oxidative stability in broiler chickens under heat- and dietary-induced oxidative stress. In two separate feeding trials, we examined the synergistic effects of the above-mentioned antioxidants under cyclic heat stress (HS) and/or high dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) intake on physiological parameters and meat quality of broilers. In the first trial, α-tocopherol supplementation reduced lipid oxidation in blood and tissues, while ascorbic acid and selenium supplementation improved antioxidative defense in broilers under cyclic HS. However, the synergistic effects of the added antioxidants were only confirmed to a limited extent. In the second trial, cyclic HS and high intake of n-3 PUFAs caused oxidative damage in blood and tissues, impaired performance and reduced meat quality in broilers. Combined exposure to both stressors exerted a greater negative effect on liver function, while antioxidant supplementation attenuated the negative effects of both stressors. The results indicate that dietary supplementation with a combination of vitamins E and C and selenium is crucial for the protection of broilers under various stressful conditions that induce oxidative stress and provides a basis for the development of new nutritional strategies for sustainable broiler production and the production of functional foods.
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