HAEMATOLOGICAL AND SERUM BIOCHEMICAL RESPONSE OF BROILER CHICKENS TO VARIED CONCENTRATIONS OF BITTER LEAF (Vernonla anygdalina) EXTRACT IN DRINKING WATER

Abstract

The study investigated the effects of bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) extract in drinking water on the blood profiles of broiler chickens. A total of 150-day-old broiler chickens were randomly allocated to five treatments of bitter leaf extract, viz; 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 ml per litre of drinking water. There were thirty birds per treatment, and each treatment had three replicates. Data were collected on proximate composition of bitter leaf meal, commercial feeds fed and haematological and serum indices. Results indicated significant differences (p<0.05) in haematological parameters across treatments, with higher PCV of 28.33% observed in 90 ml/L. Haemoglobin was higher (p<0.05) in birds given 90 ml/L (9.67g/dl). RBC count ranged from 2.22 to 2.48 x10¹²/L, with the highest count observed in 120 ml/L. MCV values ranged from 39.17 to 39.29pg, with 30 ml/L showing the highest value. MCH and MCHC were highest in 30 ml/L at 39.29pg and 33.41%, respectively. WBC count ranged from 209.00 to 224.43 x10⁹/L across treatments. No significant differences (p>0.05) were found in total protein, albumin, and globulin levels across treatments. However, AST and ALT levels showed increasing trends with higher concentrations of bitter leaf extract, reaching 59.00µ/dl and 10.50µ/dl, respectively, in birds on 120 ml/L. It was concluded that, bitter leaf extract influenced haematological parameters positively. However, 90ml/L is recommended for broiler chickens for optimum benefits.