Mitigating Effects of Ficus spp. Leaf Powder on Haematology, Reproductive Health and Serum Biomarkers in Response to Aflatoxin B1-Contaminated Diet in Isa Brown and Rhode Island Red Cocks

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of composite Ficus spp. leaf powder on haematological indices, testicular sperm reserve and selected serum biomarkers in Isa Brown and Rhode Island Red cocks fed aflatoxin B1-contaminated diets. One hundred and fifty sexually mature cocks, comprising 75 Isa Brown and 75 Rhode Island Red birds aged 20 weeks, were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments in a completely randomised design with three replicates of five birds each. The dietary treatments contained graded levels of composite Ficus spp. leaf powder prepared from Ficus exasperata, Ficus carica and Ficus thonningii, with or without 500 ppb aflatoxin B1, over an eight-week experimental period. Aflatoxin B1 exposure significantly reduced red blood cell count from 4.00 to 3.85 × 10⁶/µL, mean corpuscular volume from 143.24 to 142.90 fL, mean corpuscular haemoglobin from 47.78 to 47.66 pg and lymphocyte percentage from 88.05 to 82.57%, while increasing granulocyte percentage from 12.05 to 16.58%. Supplementation with Ficus spp. leaf powder significantly influenced several haematological parameters, with the 500 g/kg inclusion level producing the highest mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin values. Ficus supplementation also significantly affected left testicular sperm reserve, with the highest value recorded at 500 g/kg. Aflatoxin B1 increased serum heat shock protein 70 concentration, while Ficus supplementation significantly modulated heat shock protein 70, leptin and deoxyribonucleic acid damage biomarker concentrations. Breed effects were significant for serum biomarkers and testicular sperm reserve but not for most haematological indices. No significant interaction effects were observed among breed, aflatoxin B1 and Ficus supplementation. The findings indicate that composite Ficus spp. leaf powder, particularly at 500 g/kg, may help moderate some haematological and reproductive biomarker changes associated with aflatoxin B1 exposure in cocks.