Impact of Dietary Vitex doniana Leaf Meal on Blood Haematology and Serum Biochemistry of Finisher Broiler Chickens
The major constraint facing poultry farmers is the high cost of feed, which is driven by increasing competition between humans and livestock for conventional feed resources, especially protein-rich grains such as maize and soybean meal. This study evaluated the effect of Vitex doniana leaf meal (VDLM) on the haematological and serum biochemical indices of broiler chickens. A total of 120 unsexed day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments: T1 (0.0% VDLM), T2 (2.5% VDLM), T3 (5.0% VDLM), and T4 (7.5% VDLM), with three replicates of ten birds each, in a Completely Randomised Design. The experiment lasted eight weeks, covering both starter and finisher phases. Data on haematological parameters (packed cell volume, red blood cells, haemoglobin, white blood cells, lymphocytes, neutrophils, mean corpuscular indices, platelet count) and serum biochemistry (AST, ALT, ALP, HDL, LDL, cholesterol, albumin, globulin, urea, glucose, total protein, creatinine) were collected and analysed using one-way ANOVA. Results showed significant differences (P<0.05) in most parameters, except haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration at the starter phase. At the finisher phase, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, platelet count, and LDL decreased progressively with increasing VDLM inclusion, whereas mean corpuscular volume, neutrophils, AST, ALT, and creatinine increased. Haemoglobin, packed cell volume, and glucose declined, while HDL rose with increasing VDLM levels. These findings suggest that VDLM inclusion exerts marked physiological effects, particularly at the finisher phase. However, the progressive rise in liver enzymes and decline in key haematological indices at higher inclusion levels indicate potential metabolic stress. It is concluded that VDLM should not be used as a major feed ingredient in broiler diets but may serve as a phytogenic additive to enhance immunity and lipid metabolism.
Keywords: Vitex doniana, broiler chickens, haematology, serum biochemistry, phytogenic additives, dietary inclusion, blood parameters.
