Herbal effects of ginger in turkey poults

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of ginger supplementation on growth performance and serum biochemistry of turkey poults. A total of 96 two-weeks old American bronze turkey poults were randomly allocated into four dietary treatments. 24 poults per treatment replicated thrice with 8 turkey poults per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). The turkey poults were given a basal diet supplemented with 0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6% ginger powder during the 42days of the experiment. Growth performance and serum biochemistry were determined. The final liveweight, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio improved in treatment groups especially among turkey poults fed diet containing 0.6% of ginger powder. The supplementation of ginger powder at 0.6% reduced cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein, ALT, AST values and increased the high density lipoprotein value. Supplementing turkey poults with ginger enhanced the growth performance and reduced the cholesterol profiles. It was obvious that birds on treatment 4 (0.6%) ginger inclusion increased final liveweight and improved the feed conversion ratio (FCR) of turkey poults. It is therefore concluded and recommended that the dietary inclusion of ginger powder meal at 0.6% levels in turkey poults should be adopted by animal nutritionist and farmers. Keywords: ginger, turkey poults, growth performance, serum biochemistr

Lemon Juice Elevated Level of Reduced Glutathione and Improved Lipid Profile in Wistar Rats

The beneficial uses of lemon juice have been reported from ages. Such uses are however more ofspeculations than investigation. In this study, the actions of lemon juice on antioxidant status and lipid profilein wistar rats were investigated. Thirty rats were randomized into two groups of fifteen rats each. The first group(control) received distilled water and the second group was given lemon (10% in water), daily for five weeksin addition to the rat chow diet. Serum total protein, reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), superoxide(SOD) levels were determined as antioxidant status, while total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesteroland triglycerides were measured as the lipid profile. The resultof the antioxidant status showed significantincrease (p<0.05) in the GSH levels of the lemon treated group (0.63±0.01 μg/ml/mg protein) relative to thecontrol (0.53±0.03 μg/ml/mg protein) after 5 week of lemon intake. The lipid profile improved as shown by thesignificant reduction of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and significant increase in HDL cholesterol.The elevation of serum GSH could be responsible in part for the reported antioxidant effects of lemon juice.It is possible that one or more components in the administered lemon juice stimulated the production of GSHor the reduction of GSSG to GS

Proximate composition and phytochemical screening of Teak (Tectona grandis) leaves as phytogenic feed additive in poultry diets

Teak is more considered as a major constituent in many of the traditional medicines. The proximate and phytochemical analysis of Tectona grandis leaf meal were carried out by adding it as an additives or supplements in the feed fed to broiler chickens. The fresh leaves were sliced and air-dried for 10 days and milled into fine particles. The prepared sample was kept in air tight polythene bags to prevent exposure to air, the leaves were subjected to proximate and phytochemical analysis. Data showed that the leaves had low moisture 4.57±0.40%, high carbohydrates 40.30±1.07%, protein, fibre, fat and ash of 13.28±0.28%, 28.29±0.52%, 2.17±0.28%, 11.4±0.40%, respectively. The leaf samples of Tectona grandis were screened quantitatively. Results revealed the presence of flavonoid, saponin, phenol, alkaloids and tannins. Saponin, phenol and tannin were present in large amount with 55.55±20.83mg/g, 44.87±4.41mg/g and 10.50±0.56mg/g, respectively which are responsible for its antioxidant and antimicrobial. It is completely clear from the proximate analysis that Tectona grandis leaf meal can be used as alternative medicine and animal growth promoters

Nutritional evaluation of bitter leaf meal (Vernonia amygdalina): effects on performance, carcass and serum metabolites of broiler chickens

A study was conducted to evaluate the phytochemicals present in bitter leaf meal and to determine the effect of graded levels of bitter leaf meal (BLM) on performance, carcass quality, internal organs and serum metabolites of broiler chickens. A total of 72 one-day-old broiler chicks of Abor-acre breed were used for the trial and fed with diets supplemented with graded levels of bitter leaf meal (0%, 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3%). The diets were isonitrogenous and iso-caloric. The chicks were grouped into 4 treatments (18 chicks per treatment) and teach treatment was replicated 3 times using a complete randomized design. The experiment lasted for 42 days. Results showed a relatively high proximate and mineral content while phytochemical screening revealed that BLM contains bioactive substances beneficial to broiler chickens with anti-nutrient concentrations below the critical levels. The final liveweight, carcass weight and dressing percentage at 1362.27g, 1138.85g and 75.22%, respectively improved in treated groups especially among birds fed diet containing 0.3% BLM. The improvement in the feed conversion ratio (FCR) at 2.56 resulted in improved muscle development. The inclusion of BLM at 0.3% reduced the level of cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, low density lipoprotein, creatinine at 70.67mg/dl, 34.67mg/dl, 10.33mmol/l , 7.67mg/dl and 0.12mg/dl, respectively, and increased the high density lipoprotein values at 90.33mg/dl. It was concluded that BLM is not deleterious to the growth and health status of broiler chicken rather it can be a good growth booster.Keywords: broiler chickens, bitter leaf meal, growth performance, serum metabolite

The Impact of Varying Levels of Tectona grandis Leafmeal on the Performance of Broiler Chickens

This study assessed the impact of varying levels of Tectona grandis leafmeal (TGLM) dietary supplementation on the performance of broiler chickens. A basal diet divided into four portions designated diet 1 (the control) and diets 2, 3 and 4 supplemented with 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6%, respectively. One hundred and forty four broiler chicks were randomly assigned to the four experimental diets (36 birds per diet; 9 birds per replicate) using a Completely Randomized Design. At the finisher phase the body weight gain and feed conversion ratio of the birds fed 0.2 and 0.6% TGLM supplemented diets was better (P&lt;0.05) than those fed control diet and 0.4% TGLM supplemented diets. Serum cholesterol concentration was significantly (P&lt;0.05) lower in the birds fed 0.4 and 0.6% TGLM supplemented diets compared to control diet. The catalase concentration in the birds fed 0.4 and 0.6% TGLM supplemented diets were (P&lt;0.05) higher than those birds fed control diet and 0.2% TGLM supplemented diets while the glutathione peroxidase concentration in the birds fed 0.4% TGLM supplemented diets was higher (P&lt;0.05) than those fed control diet, 0.2 and 0.6% TGLM supplemented diet. The lipid peroxidation in the birds fed 0.6% TGLM supplemented diets was (P&lt;0.05) significantly lower compared to the control diet, 0.2% and 0.4% TGLM supplemented diets. The live-weight of the birds fed 0.4 and 0.6% TGLM supplemented diet was higher (P&lt;0.05) than those fed control diet and 0.2% TGLM supplemented diets. The colour score of birds fed 0.4% TGLM supplemented diets was higher (P&lt;0.05) than those fed other diets. The overall acceptability score thigh meat of birds fed 0.4% TGLM supplemented diet was significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher compared to other experimental diets. It was concluded that TGLM supplementation in this study has phytochemicals of health benefits and possess antioxidant properties

Effect of forages on performance, carcass cuts and haematological profile of weaner rabbits

Twenty weaned rabbits with initial weight range of 667.49-678.80 g were randomly allotted to five treatments (diets A, B, C, D and E) in a completely randomized design with four replications (one rabbit per replicate). Diet A served as control (concentrate), diets B and C were fresh elephant grass and fresh tridax respectively, while diet D was a mixture of tridax:pueraria (60:40) and E a mixture of elephant grass:pueraria (60:40). The crude fibre values recorded for tridax (12.42 %), elephant grass (33.59 %) and pueraria (39.75 %) were higher than that of concentrate (5.89 %). Ether extract of the concentrate (4.13 %) is comparable to than of the tridax (6.14 %) and elephant grass (2.35 %), although lower than 11.10 % reported for Pueuraria. The ash content of the concentrate (6.12 %) is comparable to those of the forages except for tridax (2.02 %). The average initial weights of the rabbits were similar. The total weight gain in the control is comparable to treatment D but higher significantly than that of treatments B, C and E. This trend also continues with weekly and daily weight gain. The dry matter intake of the control is similar to that of group D but higher significantly than the values reported in other treatments. The values for feed conversion rate in treatments B (4.55) and C (4.61) were significantly higher than 3.66, 3.73 and 3.62 recorded in treatment A, D and E respectively. The liver, lung, heart and bile weight is similar in the entire group. The kidney weight of the control is similar to all other treatments. The hind leg, breast and rib weights in the control (diet A) is similar to that of diet D but significantly higher than that of other groups. Foreleg, loin and abdominal wall weight in the control is significantly 39.75 % higher than that of the other treatments. In all blood parameters consi- dered, the values are similar in all groups, except for PCV where the control value is higher than other treatments, except treatment D. It was concluded that rabbits fed with a mixture of non leguminous and legume forages supplemented with 30 g concentrate have similar performance that those fed solely with concentrate.Veinte conejos destetados, de peso inicial entre 667,49 y 678,80 g, fueron aleatoria- mente asignados a cinco tratamientos (A, B, C, D, y E) en un diseño completamente al azar con cuatro repeticiones de un conejo. La dieta A (concentrado) sirvió como dieta control. Las dietas B y C se compusieron de forraje fresco de pasto elefante y de Tridax respectiva- mente; la dieta D fue una mezcla de forraje Tridax:Pueraria (60:40) y la E una mezcla de pasto elefante:Pueraria (60:40). El nivel de fibra bruta en Tridax (12,42 %), pasto elefante (33,59 %) y Pueraria (39,75 %) fue mayor que el del concentrado (5,89 %). El extracto etéreo en el concentrado (4,13 %) es comparable al de Tridax (6,14 %) y pasto elefante (2,35 %)e inferior al de Pueraria (11,10 %). El contenido de cenizas en el concentrado (6,12 %) es comparable al de los forrajes excepto Tridax (2,02 %). La ingestión de la dieta A es comparable a la de la D pero significativamente mayor que la de las otras dietas, tendencia que continúa semanalmente en lo relativo a la ganancia diaria y total de peso. La ingestión de materia seca de la dieta A es similar a la de la dieta D pero significativamente menor que en los restantes tratamientos. Los índices de conversión de las dietas A (3,66), D (3,73) y E (3,62) son significativamente menores (p<0,05) que los de las dietas B (4,55) y C (4,61). El peso de hígado, pulmones, corazón y bilis fue similar en todos los grupos. El peso del riñón en la dieta control es similar al resto de tratamientos pero hay diferencias de los tratamientos B y C con los tratamientos D y E. El peso de la pata trasera, y el pecho en la dieta control son similares al de la dieta D pero menores que en el resto de los grupos. El peso de lomos y pared abdominal es menor en la dieta A. Los parámetros hematológicos fueron similares en todos los grupos. El volumen celular es significativamente mayor en la dieta A que en las restantes salvo la D. En conclusión los conejos alimentados con una combi- nación de forraje suplementada con concentrados puede proporcionar un buen rendimiento, comparable al de concejos alimentados solo con concentrados