Haematological and serum biochemical indices of broiler chickens fed raw sickle pod (Senna obtusifolia) seed meal

Abstract. A feeding trial was conducted for sixty three (63) days (9 weeks) to evaluate the effects of feeding raw Senna obtusifolia seed meal (RSOSM) on haematological indices and serum biochemical parameters of broiler chickens. Six experimental diets were compounded for both the starter (23% crude protein - CP) and finisher (20% CP) phases of growth. The diets were formulated to contain 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% level of raw Senna obtusifolia seed meal replacing roasted soya bean weight for weight in T , T , T , T , T and T respectively. The 0% replacement level (T1) served as the control diet. The broiler 1 2 3 4 5 6, 2 chickens were managed on deep litter pens of 30 birds/2.22 m , weighed and randomly allotted to the six (6) dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Each treatment group consisted of thirty (30) broiler chicks replicated three times with ten (10) broiler chicks per replicate. Blood samples were collected from the wing vein at the end of the experiment using standard procedure and were analysed for haematological and biochemical profile. The outcome of this study revealed that the haematological indices were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by the dietary treatments. However, the blood chemistry was significantly (P<0.05) affected by the experimental diets. The total protein, albumin, globulin, and some electrolytes components were observed to be significantly (P<0.05) depressed as the level of RSOSM increased in the experimental diets. For instance, total protein was observed to reduce from 6.24g/dl in T1 to 3.6g/dl in T6. Electrolyte constituents such as calcium were similarly observed to reduce from 6.01 mmol/l in T1 to 1.15 mmol/l in T6. The serum enzymes and bilirubin were elevated as the level of RSOSM increases in the experimental diets. Aspartate amino transferase (AST) for instance increased from 8.27U/l in T1 to 23.18 U/l in T6. It can be concluded that incorporation of RSOSM beyond 5% in the diets of broiler chickens has adverse effects on blood parameters especially the biochemical parameters