ESTIMATION OF FIVE SELECTED SERUM BIOCHEMICAL VARIABLES IN FOUR-CHICKEN STRAINS USING SIMPLE LINEAR FUNCTION

Abstract

The study was conducted at the Federal University of Technology, Akure Teaching and Research Farm to establish the relationship existing between serum biochemical variables by predicting the total protein (TP) of chickens from the other serum biochemical variables. One hundred and twenty day old chicks of four strains were purchased from reputable farm comprising 30 chicks per strain and were used for the study that lasted for eight (8) weeks. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design and the birds were distributed into four treatments. Each group was replicated three times at 10 birds per replicate. The birds were fed experimental
diet ad-libitum while adequate health preventive measures were ensured during the period of the study. At the end of the experiment, serum samples obtained from 48 birds were taken to the laboratory for analyses to generate data for statistical analysis. Analytical results showed that serum biochemical variables were highly significant (p<0.01) among the four chicken strains with the exception of some parameters. Coefficient of determination (R2) was highest with albumin (64.33%) for Marshall exotic chicken strain. Hence, accuracy of prediction was highest in albumin. This function was best with Marshall Broilers compared to the other chicken strains used in the study. Albumin had the highest contribution to total protein (TP) while alkaline phosphatase generally contributed lowest. Albumin, globulin and cholesterol had positive and direct relationship with TP. It was concluded that albumin was the best predictor of TP from other serum variables among the chicken strains. Serum biochemical variables could be used to predict TP in chickens and assess the level of immunity, well being and meat quality of poultry birds.