Effect of Nigella sativa Seed Supplementation on Hematology, Acid-base Parameters, and Serum Biochemical Parameters in Nubian Goat Fed an Aflatoxin Contaminated Diet

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of Nigella sativa (NS) seed supplementation on hematology, acid-base parameters, and serum biochemical parameters in Nubian goats fed an Aflatoxin-contaminated diet. In a completely randomized design, 20 growing male goats (aged 8-9 months; 11±0.5 kg) were allocated to five treatments (4 goats/treatment). The control group (G1) received a basal diet. The treatment groups received the same diet contaminated with 150 ppb Aflatoxin (G2), and other treatments received an Aflatoxin-contaminated diet supplemented with different levels of crushed NS seeds 2% (G3), 4% (G4), and 6% (G5). Blood samples were collected after 40 day feeding period to determine blood pH, glucose, hematological and biochemical parameters. Statistical analysis was performed to assess the significant differences among the treatments. Hemoglobin concentration (Hb), total erythrocytes count (TEC), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), serum total protein (TP), and globulins (GB) were significantly (P≤0.05) decreased by Aflatoxin-contaminated diet, whereas total leukocytes count (TLC) increased (P≤0.05). Supplementing NS seeds to an Aflatoxin-contaminated diet significantly (P≤0.05) increased Hb, TEC, TP, and GB. Lipid profile and serum liver enzymes were significantly (P≤0.05) increased by an Aflatoxin-contaminated diet. Supplementing NS seeds to an Aflatoxin-contaminated diet caused a decrease (P≤0.05) in lipid profile and serum liver enzymes. Supplementing NS seeds to an Aflatoxin-contaminated diet resulted in a good performance and improved physiological status, the superior effect to an Aflatoxin-contaminated diet supplemented with 6% NS seeds. The study recommended supplementing 6% NS seeds to goat diets to reduce suspected Aflatoxin contamination. Further investigations are needed to assess the protective effect of NS seeds in other animal species fed on Aflatoxin-contaminated diets.