This study was carried out to determine the effect of dietary supplementation of melon (Citrallus lanatus) seed oil (WMO) on the growth performance and immune response of growing rabbits. Thirty-six (36), 5-6 weeks weaner rabbit of mixed breed and sex with an average weight of 435 g – 438 grams were randomly divided into four (4) treatments of nine rabbits per group and each rabbit served as a replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). The experiment lasted for 12 weeks and all other management practices were strictly observed. The basal diet was formulated according to the nutrient requirements of the rabbit according to NRC (1977). Treatment (T1) was fed basal diet with 0 % WMO, T2, T3, and T4 were fed basal diet supplemented with WMO at 0.2 %, 0.4 % and 0.6 % respectively. Results obtained were used to examine the average daily weight gain (ADWG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), feed: gain, mortality, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), reduced glutathione (GSH), and malonyl dialdehyde (MLA). ADWG, feed: gain, and mortality were significantly different (P˂0.05) among the treatments. ADFI increased as the level of WMO increases, though not at a significant level (P˃0.05). The highest mortality was recorded among animals in T1 (1.00 %), none was recorded in the other treatments (P˂0.05). Activities of SOD, GST, GSH, and MLA were significantly (P˃0.05) influenced by WMO. It was concluded that dietary supplementation of WMO up to 0.6 % enhanced growth performance, improved feed: gain, and had no negative effect on the antioxidant parameters of rabbits, it is safe and could be used to bridge the gap between food safety and production.
An experiment was conducted to assess the influence of GGO on carcass features and sensory assessment of broiler chickens. 120 1-day-old (Arbo acre) birds were separated into five treatments, each with three replicates of 8 birds. Throughout the 8-week trial, clean feed and water were available at all times. NRC's basal diet was designed to suit avian nutritional needs (1994). A 0% GGO meal was given to the birds in treatment 1, whereas GGO levels of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 percent were given to the birds in treatments 2, 3, 4, and 5. As well as studying the phytochemical content of (Zingiber officinale) and garlic (Allium sativum) oil, carcass and organ features of birds were also studied. Zingiber officinale contains phenols (8.21%), alkaloids (5.12%), flavonoids (7.49%), tannins (6.52%), saponins (3.18%), streiods (2.38%), glycosides (0.18%), oxalates (0.07%), and phytate (0.07%). (0.02 %). Sativum contains flavonoids (10.67%) alkaloids (7.02%) tannins (4.72%) steroids (3.65%) saponin (2) glycoside (0.33%) oxalates (0.26%) and phytate (0.26%). (0.05 %). Dressing %, carcass and relative organ weights differed across treatments (P0.05). The liver, kidney, spleen, and other internal organs showed no signs of inflammation. GGO altered meat sensory assessment (tenderness, juiciness, taste, and fragrance) except meat color which was not significantly (P0.05) different across treatments. GGO may be fed to broilers up to 0.4 percent without affecting their health or performance.
This study was conducted to evaluate the performance of broiler chickens fed graded levels of ripe plantain peels meal (RPPM) as replacement for maize. One hundred and fifty day old Anak strain broiler chickens were allotted to five dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. Each treatment was replicated three times with 10 birds per replicate. The test ingredient (RPPM) was replaced at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% levels representing T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively. The diets were Isonitrogenous (23 and 20% CP) for starter and finisher respectively. Feed and water were provided ad-libitum throughout the study period of 56 days and routine management practices were strictly adhered to. Parameters measured were feed intake and weight gain. Feed conversion ratio, feed cost/kg and feed cost/kg gain were calculated. Results showed that there were significant (P<0.05) differences in the final live weight, feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio and feed cost/kg. Based on this study, RPPM could replace maize up to 75% which is the inclusion level that gave the best feed conversion ratio and cost efficiency.
This study was carried out to investigate the hepatic histopathology of broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with Prosopis africana (African mesquite) essential oil (PRSO). 300, 1-day old broiler chicks were randomly distributed into six treatments with 5 replicates consisting of 10 birds each. Birds in diet 1 (D1) was fed basal diet supplemented with 0 % PRSO, D2: basal diet with 1.0 g/kg-1 oxytetracycline, D3, D4, D5 and D6 were fed basal diet supplemented with PRSO at 200 mg, 400 mg, 600 mg and 800 mg/kg-1 respectively. The experiment lasted for 56 days and a completely randomized design was adopted. Phyto-constituents of PRSO revealed the presence of tannins (201.21 mg/g-1), flavonoids (677.83 mg/g-1), alkaloids (405.90 mg/g-1), saponins (75.62 mg/g-1), phenols (508.28 mg/g-1), phytates (20.10 mg/g-1) and oxalates (5.26 mg/g-1). Hepatic histopathology showed that tissues from D1, D3, D4, D5 and D6 showed no signs of any damage; the central vein, blood portal vessels showed no congestion. Mild hepatocellular damage was recorded among liver of birds in D2. It can be concluded that Prosopis africana essential oil are among the key alternative solutions to antibiotics because they contain bioactive compounds that are safe, effective and performs multiple biological functions in the body of animals.
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