SERUM PROTEIN AND HAEMATOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS IN BOVAN BLACK LAYERS FED GRADED LEVELS OF ZINC SULPHATE MONOHYDRATE

Abstract

Zinc-supplemented diets have been shown to enhance the immune status of laying birds, improving nutrition and overall health of laying birds. This study assessed the effects of zinc sulphate monohydrate supplementation on the haematology and serum proteins of laying birds. A total of 120 Bovan Black point-of-lay birds were grouped into a control (T1) and three treatment groups supplemented with 30 mg/kg (T2), 60 mg/kg (T3), and 90 mg/kg (T4) of zinc. Birds were monitored for 12 weeks, fed basal diets and provided ample drinking water ad libitum. Blood samples were collected at the end of the trial for haematological and serum biochemical analyses. Values obtained from T1 to T4 for Packed Cell Volume (27.65–29.87%), haemoglobin (9.47–9.72 g/dL), and erythrocyte counts (2.71–3.07 × 10⁶/L) significantly (p<0.05) varied among treatments, with T4 exhibiting the highest values. Leukocyte counts (19.88–20.38 × 10⁸/L) also differed significantly, with the highest count in T1. Significant (p<0.05) differences were observed in heterophils (28.63–33.25%), monocytes (2.99–3.96%), eosinophils (3.09– 4.84%), and heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratios (0.48–0.55) across treatments. Serum protein, globulin, and albumin levels significantly (p<0.05) increased with zinc supplementation. These findings indicate that dietary zinc supplementation, thereby promoting productivity in laying birds.