BLOOD PHYSIOLOGY OF HERITAGE TURKEY HENS ADMINISTERED MORINGA OLEIFERA LEAF AND SEED EXTRACTS

Abstract

The study examined the serum as well as the heamatological effect of Moringa oleifera leaf and seed extracts on the heritage turkey hens. A total of 36 female turkeys were used for the study, which were randomly assigned into four treatment groups. Replicated three times with three turkey hens, each treatment were administered 0 gram of Moringa (T1), 1 gram of Moringa seed alone (T2) combination of 0.5g of Moringa seed and 0.5gram of Moringa leaf (T3) lastly, 1 gram of Moringa leaf alone (T4) . Blood samples collection was done at 36 weeks of age. The results showed that there were no significant differences (P>0.05) in the red blood cell (RBC), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), White Blood Cell (WBC) and the Packed Cell Volume (PCV). The Mean Corpuscular Heamoglobin (MCHC), Mean Corpuscular Heamoglobin (MCV), Heamoglobin (Hb) differed significantly (P<0.05) among the treatment groups. While the serum biochemical report shows that, there are significant difference (P<0.05) on the glucose, total protein, albumen, bilirubin, urea, creatinine, AST and calcium. The cholesterol, sodium and potassium level did not differ significantly. It is therefore safe to conclude based on the study that Moringa improved the blood quality of the local female turkeys.