HAEMATOLOGICAL AND SERUM BIOCHEMICAL STUDIES IN BROILERS FED GNETUM AFRICANUM (WELW) LEAF MEAL

Abstract

In this study, the effect of diets supplemented with leaf meal of Gnetum africanum on hematology and serum biochemistry of broilers was determined. The leaves were collected, air-dried, and pulverized. Eighty broiler chicks used for this study were acclimatized for three days and randomly distributed into five groups (n=16). The birds were fed commercial starter and finisher ration into which the leaf meal was incorporated at various levels for 8 weeks. Birds in group 1 received feed without Gnetum africanum meal, while birds in groups 2, 3, 4, and 5 received: 0.5%, 1%, 2%, and 3% of Gnetum africanum supplemented meals, respectively. Blood was collected at the end of 8 weeks of feeding. Results showed that treated birds had significantly (P< 0.05) higher levels of packed cell volume, red blood cell, and white blood cell count than the control groups. Serum liver enzymes were significantly (P<0.05) reduced, while the serum kidney function markers, uric acid, and creatinine were significantly (P<0.05) higher when compared with the control group. We conclude that G. africanum induced hematopoiesis and could have been a stressor to the broilers which was seen as leukocytosis and elevated kidney function markers.