KAEMPFEROL IMPROVED LIVER ENZYMES IN TWO WEEKS OLD BROILER CHICKENS WITH EXPERIMENTAL EIMERIA TENELLA INFECTION

Abstract

The effect of kaempferol on the concentration of liver enzymes in two weeks old broiler chickens with experimental Eimeria tenella infection was evaluated in this study. Sixty day old broilers were randomly allotted into six groups (I-VI) of ten broilers each and brooded for two weeks. At exactly two weeks of age, broilers in group I served as non-infected control. Broilers in groups II- VI were infected with Eimeria tenella sporulated oocyst (104/ml) via oral inoculation. After infection was established, broilers in groups II-IV were treated per os with 1 mg/kg, 1.5 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg of kaempferol respectively. Broilers in group V were treated for five days with amprolium, 1.25 g/Lin drinking water. Broilers in group VI served as infected untreated control. Five days post infection; all broilers were sacrificed by severing their jugular veins. Blood sample was collected from each broiler in a plane sample container devoid of anticoagulant so as to harvest serum for serology. Concentration of liver enzymes (ALT, AST and ALP) in the serum was determined. Data obtained were analyzed using pad prism version 5.0. There were statistically significant (P<0.05) reductions in the mean values of liver enzymes (ALT AST, ALP) in groups II, III and IV in a dose dependent manner when compared to group VI. It was observed in this study that kaempferol improved the serum level of liver enzymes and reduced the level of pathology in the liver and caecum of broilers infected with Eimeria tenella in this study, and therefore recommends that it should be incorporated in bird‘s feed.