Biochemical and Oxidative Stress Parameters of Broilers Fed Meal and Protein Isolate of <i>Mucuna pruriens</i>Seeds

Mucuna pruriens (velvet bean) represents an interesting source of protein poorly studied. The effect of dietary inclusion of meal and protein isolate of Mucuna seeds on biochemical and oxidative stress parameter of broilers (135-one-day Cobb500 chickens) was investigated. Three isonitrogenous diets were formulated from soya bean meal (Control group: RTS), Mucuna meal (coded RFM) and Mucuna protein isolate (coded RIM). Each of the dietary treatments was triplicated with 15 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design. The birds were offered feed and water ad libitum. The results revealed significant (p < 0.05) effect of N source on the organ total proteins with treatment RFM and RIM exhibiting lower but comparable levels in the Liver (2.01 and 1.98 g/dL), Heart (1.95 and 1.89 g/dL) and Kidney (1.92 and 1.91 g/dL). Triglycerides contents were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the liver of broilers fed RIM and RFM (2.49 and 2.36 mg/dL), in the Kidney of chicks fed RIM and RTS (2.27 and 2.34 mg/dL) and in the Heart of birds fed RTS and RFM (1.90 and 1.87 mg/dL). Broilers fed RFM presented the highest (p < 0.05) Liver total cholesterol (1.61 mg/dL) and ALAT contents but with similar values with birds fed RTS (36.43 and 35.50 UI/L respectively). ASAT level was significantly high (p < 0.05) in the Liver and Plasma (265.50 and 264.50 UI/L respectively) of broilers of RFM diet. In all the organs, MDA content was highest (p < 0.05) in chicks of RIM batch. In the Heart and Plasma, chicks of RFM (3.23 and 5.05 μl/mg respectively) and RIM (5.45 and 5.35 μl/mg respectively) diets registered elevated rate of CAT. In view of these results, investigations remain to be carried out on the impact of the inclusion of meal and protein isolate of M. pruriens seeds in broiler’s diet during the growth-finishing phase.

Effect of Dietary Incorporation of <i>Curcuma longa</i>Powder on Haematology and Serological Properties of Guinea Pigs (<i>Cavia porcellus</i>)

The reduced efficiency of antibiotic growth promoters in livestock, and the unavoidable residual effects on livestock products such as egg, meat and milk have pushed researchers to rush towards the use of phytobiotics in animal feed. This study was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Dschang to evaluate the Effect of Cucurma longa powder as feed additive on hemato-serological parameters in Guinea pigs. A total of 120 three weeks old Guinea pigs (60 males and 60 females), with an average weight of 150 ± 20 g were used. The animals were randomly distributed into four treatments in a completely randomized design with 30 animals per treatment (15 males and 15 females). Four experimental treatments were used by adding 0%, 0.25%, 0.5% and 1% C. longa in the diet corresponding to R0, R0.25%, R0.5% and R1% respectively. At the 8th week of age, 12 Guinea pigs (6 males and 6 females) per treatment were fasted for 12 hours and sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Blood was rapidly collected from the jugular vein for the evaluation of haematological and biochemical parameters. Results revealed that the inclusion of Curcuma longa at 0.25% significantly (p < 0.05) increased the concentration of hematocrit, lymphocytes, monocytes, granulocytes and platelets. A significant decrease (p < 0.05) was observed in hemoglobin, red blood cells, white blood cells, serum lipids, globulin, AST, ALT, and urea. It was concluded that the use of Curcuma longa powder at 0.25% as feed additive positively regulates blood serum parameters of Guinea pigs.

Effects of the Incorporation of <i>Dracaena arborea</i>Roots Powder on Growth Performance and Some Haematological Parameters in Guinea Pigs (<i>Cavia porcellus</i>)

The present study was assigned to evaluate the Effect of Dracaena arborea roots powder in ration on growth performances and some hematological parameters in the guinea pig on diet supplemented with graded levels of incorporation. A total of 40 guinea pigs weaned of local breed and aged 3 weeks were divided into 4 identical batches. Each of the groups was randomly assigned one of 4 rations containing different levels of the powder from Dracaena arborea (Da) roots: Da0;Da0.25;Da0.5 and Da0.75. The results at the 11th week of breeding showed that the highest intake (21.13 g/d) was obtained with the Da0.5 ration. The highest live weight (372.50 g) and total weight gains were obtained with the Da0.25 ration. In addition, the highest commercial (161.75 g) and conventional (307.75 g) carcass weights and large intestine length (99.5 cm) were obtained with the D0.25 ration. The highest values for granulocytes (0.250.103/μl), platelets (805.103/μl) and lymphocytes (6.92.103/μl) were respectively, obtained with the rations containing Da0;D0.5 and D0.75. In view of the above, Dracaena arborea roots powder can be used at a rate of 0.25% in the ration, to improve the productivity of the guinea pig (Cavia porcellus).