EFFECTS OF GENOTYPE, PLANTAIN PEEL (Musa paradisiaca) AND AFRICAN BLACK PLUM LEAF (Vitex doniana) ON BODY WEIGHT GAIN, LIPID PROFILE, AND GLUCOSE TOLERANCE IN CHICKENS

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of plantain peel (PP) and Vitex doniana (VD) leaf supplementation on body weight gain (BWG), lipid profile, and glucose metabolism in three chicken genotypes: FUNAAB Alpha, Ross 308, and Marshall. A 3 × 2 × 2 factorial design was used with 144 birds assigned to four dietary treatments: control, 2.5% PP, 2.5% VD, and a combination of 2.5% PP + 2.5% VD leaf. Data were analyzed using ANOVA. Genotype significantly affected BWG (p < 0.05), with Ross (1872.11 ± 25.49 g) and Marshall (1880.15 ± 25.49 g) chickens outperforming FUNAAB Alpha (508.15 ± 25.49 g). Marshall had higher HDL levels (14.46 ± 1.16 mg/dL) than FUNAAB Alpha (8.49 ± 1.16 mg/dL) and Ross (8.67 ± 1.16 mg/dL) (p < 0.05), while LDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides were unaffected by PP or VD. Glucose tolerance varied by genotype, with FUNAAB Alpha showing higher peak glucose (189.05 ± 5.13 mg/dL) than Ross (148.25 ± 5.13 mg/dL) and Marshall (168.55 ± 5.13 mg/dL). PP improved glucose clearance (K 15–30 min), while VD reduced initial clearance (K 0–15 min). These results suggest that PP and VD leaf influence metabolic parameters in chickens, with Ross and Marshall showing superior BWG, and PP + VD leaf improving glucose clearance in Ross chickens. Further research is needed to understand their long-term metabolic effects.