EFFECT OF CRUDE TANNIN EXTRACTS ON HAEMATOLOGY AND SERUM BIOCHEMICAL PROFILE OF BROILER CHICKENS

Abstract

The use of synthetic antibiotics as feed growth promoters remained banned by several countries because of their toxicological effects, microbe resistance and suspected carcinogenic potential. Therefore, the use of natural products as antibiotics replacement is a welcome opportunity in the livestock industry. This study was aimed at examining the effects of tannin extracts from Gliricidia sepium, a high tannin containing plant on the haematology and serum biochemistry of broiler chickens. Leaves of Gliricidia sepium, were harvested, weighed, air dried and then ground. Crude tannin extracts were applied to 0, 12, 24 and 36mL-1 drinking water. Eightyfour Abor Acres 1-day-old chicks were randomly assigned to four treatments, three replicates in Completely Randomized Design. Data were analysed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). At week six, blood samples were drawn from birds via the jugular vein for serum biochemical and haematological analyses. With the exception of basophil values, which demonstrated a significant difference (p<0.05) with a higher value of (0.83%) at the 24 mL-1 inclusion level. The results indicated that all haematological parameters evaluated were not significantly (p>0.05) different among the treatments. However, the serum biochemical indices revealed a significant difference (p<0.05) in the levels of albumin, urea, and glucose in the blood while there were no significant differences (p>0.05) in other parameters. In conclusion, addition of gliricidia crude tannin extracts to drinking water act of 24 and 36 mL-1 generally enhanced the haematology and serum biochemistry of broiler chickens.