Physiological response of pullet chicks fed Moringa oleifera, Ocimum gratissimum and leaf meal-based diets

Abstract

Blood reflects the pathological status of animals exposed to toxicants and other conditions. Blood examination helps to clinically investigate the presence of metabolites and other constituents in the body of animals and plays vital roles in the physiological, nutritional and pathological status of animals. Blood constituents change in relation to the physiological status of an animal.A total of 144 one-day-old Isa-brown pullet chicks were randomly picked from a larger flock, weighed and distributed to groups with 4 replicates of 9 chicks each in a completely randomized design (CRD). Four feeds were formulated to meet the NRC requirement and allotted one each to the 4 group of birds. T1 was the control, T2, T3 and T4 contained 2% of Moringa oleifera, Ocimum gratissimum and Vernonia amgydalina leaf meals respectively. At the end of the experiment which lasted for 8 weeks 2 birds were randomly selected from each replicate for haematological and serum boichemical examination. All the haematological parameters measured were not significant (P>0.05) except eosinophils while for serum biochemistry cholesterol and albumin to globulin ratio were significantly affected by dietary treatment ( P<0.05).The highest value (3.50 % eosinophils) was observed in the birds on diet 4 which had 2% of Vernonia amgydalina leaf meal and these birds also had the lowest (139.25 mg/dl) cholesterol value. It was therefore concluded that 2% of these leaf meals especially of Vernoniaamgy dalinacanbe incorporated in the diets of pullet chicks to reduce their blood cholesterol and boost the immunity