Impact of Dietary Garlic (Allium sativum) Rhizome Powder Supplementation on Haematological and Serum Biochemical Indices of Broiler Starter Chickens
This study evaluated the effects of dietary garlic (Allium sativum) rhizome powder supplementation on the haematological and serum biochemical profiles of broiler starter chickens. A total of 120 day-old Abor Acre broiler chicks were randomly assigned to four dietary treatment groups, each with three replicates of 10 birds (30 birds per treatment). The experimental diets included: T1 (control – basal diet without garlic), T2 (basal diet + 0.5% garlic powder), T3 (basal diet + 1.0% garlic powder), and T4 (basal diet + 1.5% garlic powder). Chicks were fed a starter diet from week 1 to 4. Blood samples were collected at the end of the starter phase (week 4) for haematological and serum biochemical analysis. Haematological parameters assessed included haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), heterophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, and eosinophils. Serum biochemical indices measured were aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total cholesterol, total protein, albumin, globulin, uric acid, and creatinine. Results revealed that dietary inclusion of garlic powder had significant effects (P < 0.05) on several haematological and serum biochemical parameters. Notably, serum cholesterol levels decreased significantly with increasing levels of garlic supplementation. However, creatinine levels were not significantly affected (P > 0.05) by garlic inclusion. These findings suggest that garlic rhizome powder can positively influence the blood profile of broiler starter chickens, particularly in lowering serum cholesterol, without adversely affecting kidney function
Keyword: Dietary garlic, Allium sativum, Rhizome Powder, Haematological, Serum Biochemical Indices
