Metabolic and oxidative stress markers of rabbit bucks at peak of heat stress in Southwest Nigeria

In this cross-sectional study, serum biochemical and oxidative stress indicators in rabbit bucks of different age groups were assessed at peak of heat stress in the tropical condition of South west Nigeria. This investigation was carried out between February and March, when highest temperature-humidity index (THI) is observed in the study location. Thirty-four (34) pubertal rabbit bucks between 4 and 5 months old, thirty-six (36) mature rabbit bucks between 7 and 9 months old and thirty-five (35) adult rabbit bucks above 1 year old were used in this study. Animals were housed individually and allotted randomly into experimental units using the Completely Randomised Design (CRD). After 9 weeks of exposure of the animals to the prevailing heat stress condition in the study area; blood was sampled from all the rabbit bucks through the ear vein into sample bottles for serum biochemical and oxidative status assay using standard procedures. The result revealed that serum glucose, magnesium and sodium in adult rabbit bucks was significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of pubertal and mature bucks. Serum lipid peroxidation of adult rabbit bucks was significantly (P<0.05) higher than mature bucks, while serum superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities of bucks were not significantly (p>0.05) affected by the differences in age. Total antioxidant capacity of adult and mature rabbit bucks was significantly (P<0.05) higher than pubertal bucks. The study concluded that at peak of heat stress, adult rabbit bucks are more sensitive to oxidative stress than mature and pubertal bucks. Efforts to combat heat stress in rabbits with antioxidant supplements should cut across three physiological age groups

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<0.05) than those fed control diet and 0.4% TGLM supplemented diets. Serum cholesterol concentration was significantly (P<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<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<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<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<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<0.05) than those fed other diets. The overall acceptability score thigh meat of birds fed 0.4% TGLM supplemented diet was significantly (P<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