Effects of Drumstick (Moringa oleifera Lam.) Leaf Meal on Haematology, Immunity, and Serum Biochemistry in Laying Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Abstract

The experiment aims to discern the effect of dietary incorporation of drumstick (Moringa oleifera Lam.) leaf meal on haemato-biochemical, serum total immunoglobulin efficacy on the performance of laying Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). The study was conducted at Instructional Poultry Farm (I.P.F.) and Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, India. A total of 230 Japanese quails (182 hens and 48 males) at 6th weeks of age in the laying phase were randomly allocated into eight treatment groups having three replicates in a complete randomized design. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 20. ANOVA, followed by Duncan’s Multiple Range test was used for multiple comparisons.  Laying Japanese quail of treatment T1 (control group) were fed a basal diet (starter and finisher), whereas in treatment group T2 basal diet was incorporated with Vitamin C @200 mg/kg, T3 basal diet was incorporated with Vitamin E @10 IU/kg, and in diets T4, T5, T6, T7, and T8, the basal diet was incorporated with 1.0%, 3.0%, 5.0%, 7.0% and 9.0% Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM), respectively.   The results showed that haematological indices viz., Hb, PCV, TEC, TLC, MCH, MCHC, heterophil, and H/L ratio were significantly (p≤0.05) highest in T6 (5%MOLM) and lowest in T8 (9%MOLM) treatment group. A significant (p≤0.05) difference in serum total immunoglobulin (g/L) was observed among all the treatment groups of laying birds. The serum biochemical parameters showed significant (p≤0.05) reduction in serum glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and VLDL cholesterol in T6 (5%MOLM) treatment groups of laying birds.  It can be concluded that 5.0 % drumstick (Moringa oleifera) leaf meal can be incorporated as a functional feed additive for improvement in haematological profile, serum total immunoglobulin concentration and serum biochemical profile on laying Japanese quail.