The Phytogenic Effects of Xylopia aethiopica and Tetrapleura tetraptera Fruit Meals on Serum Biochemical, Antioxidant and Oxidative Profiles of Layer Chickens Following Outbreak of Gumboro Disease

Abstract

The effect of Xylopia aethiopica and Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit meals on blood serum biochemistry and oxidative and antioxidant parameters of layer chickens following an outbreak of infectious bursal disease in layer chickens were investigated. A total of four hundred and fifty (450) day old Isa Brown pullet chicks procured from ‘Agrited’ were used for the study. The birds were vaccinated against Newcastle disease on arrival and infectious bursal disease vaccine (IBDV) on the 10th day. On day 18 before the second dose of IBDV could be given, high morbidity and a few mortalities were observed in the flock. Clinical signs and post mortem examination revealed IBD outbreak. Supportive therapy was instituted and by day 24 (6 days of clinical disease), the birds stopped dying. By then, a total of 138 birds (30.67 %) had died leaving a total of 300 birds which were then used for the study. The birds were randomly allotted into 10 treatments groups of 3 replicates each containing 10 chicks. Treatment 1 was the control, while T2, T3 and T4 were fed diets supplemented with 0.5, 1.5 and 2.5g of X. aethiopica fruit meal per kg of feed. Treatment 5, T6 and T7 were fed diets supplemented with 0.5, 1.5 and 2.5g of T. tetraptera fruit meal per kg of feed, while T8, T9 and T10 were fed diets supplemented with a combination of 0.5, 1.5 and 2.5g of X. aethiopica and T. tetraptera fruit meal per kg of feed. At the end of 50 and 73 weeks of age (woa), three birds were selected for serum biochemical and antioxidant studies. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and separation of means was made using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. The results showed significantly higher serum total protein in the treated groups; while serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels were lower in the treated groups than the control.