HAEMATOLOGICAL AND SERUM BIOCHEMISTRY OF BROILER BIRDS TREATED WITH SCENT LEAF (OcimumGratissimum).
This study evaluated the haematological and serum biochemical responses of broiler chickens administered aqueous extracts of scent leaf, Ocimumgratissimum, through drinking water. A total of 120 day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to four treatment groups of 30 birds each, with three replicates of 10 birds per replicate in a completely randomised design (CRD). The treatments consisted of T1 (control; 0 mL), T2 (2 mL), T3 (4 mL), and T4 (6 mL) of O. gratissimum extract administered in drinking water. At the end of the feeding trial, data collected were subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and treatment means were separated using Duncan’s multiple range test at a 5% probability level. Results were expressed as mean ± standard error. The haematological indices showed significant (p < 0.05) differences among treatment groups. Packed cell volume increased from 23.50% in T1 to 26.33% in T4, haemoglobin concentration ranged from 11.30 to 11.90 g/dL, while red blood cell count increased from 2.66 × 10⁶/mm³ in T1 to 3.11 × 10⁶/mm³ in T4. Lymphocyte values increased from 55.00% in the control group to 62.00% in T4, whereas heterophil counts decreased from 37.50% to 31.33% across the same treatments. Serum biochemical parameters were also significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by the treatments. Total protein ranged from 2.60 to 3.36 g/dL, albumin from 1.13 to 1.47 g/dL, and globulin from 1.45 to 1.89 g/dL. Glucose concentrations increased from 191.00 mg/dL in T1 to 267.67 mg/dL in T4, while cholesterol and triglyceride values ranged from 105.39 to 142.18 mg/dL and 99.33 to 116.16 mg/dL, respectively. Electrolyte and mineral parameters remained within physiological ranges, with chloride values ranging from 128.97 to 135.16 mmol/L, sodium from 138.50 to 140.69 mmol/L, calcium from 6.74 to 6.87 mmol/L, phosphorus from 3.36 to 3.60 mmol/L, and potassium from 1.12 to 1.26 mmol/L. The findings indicate that aqueous extracts of O. gratissimum improved haematological indices, enhanced immune response, maintained serum biochemical stability, and supported mineral homeostasis in broiler chickens without adverse physiological effects. Therefore, O. gratissimum extract may serve as a beneficial natural phytogenic additive in broiler production.
Keywords: broiler chickens; Ocimumgratissimum; haematology; serum biochemistry; phytogenic additives
