COCONUT WATER REDUCED ADIPOSITY MARKERS IN OVERFED-MALE BROILER BREEDERS

Abstract

Overfeeding of male broiler breeders causes adiposity and this leads to impairment in mating and reproductive capacities. As a result of this, broiler breeders are placed on feed restriction which is often associated with stress. There are published and anecdotal reports on anti-adiposity and weightlosing property of coconut water. This study evaluated the effect of coconut water (CW) supplementation on the level of reproductive hormones, stress and adiposity markers in overfed male broiler breeders. Thirty (12 weeks old) male broiler breeders were divided into three dietary treatment groups-A, B and C and reared for 12 weeks. Group A was placed on standard feeding regimen while groups B and C received double of the standard feeding regimen. Groups A and B were given ordinary water while birds in group C received 100 ml of CW/1L of water. Blood samples and semen were collected at the end of 12 weeks of rearing to evaluate sperm characteristics, reproductive hormones, leptin and cortisol levels. Mean ± SD values were calculated and compared for significant differences with one-way ANOVA at p<0.05. Serum cortisol level was significantly elevated in group A relative to group B and C. Sperm characteristics and the concentrations of testosterone were similar across the groups. Estrogen level decreased significantly in groups A and C when compared with group B. The concentration of leptin, though not significant, was elevated in group B when compared to other groups. These results revealed that high feed ration reduced stress and coconut water decreased adiposity markers in overfed male broiler breeders.