Effect of Mutingia calabura Leaves Extract on the Haematological Properties, Serum Biochemistry, and Intestinal Morphology in Ross Broiler Chickens

Abstract

Introduction: Broiler chickens are more prone to diseases therefore, antibiotics are usually used to overcome disease challenges and also in some cases as growth promoter and eventually rise a concern of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).  Aims: This experiment evaluated the effects of different levels of Mutingia calabura leaves (MCL) on hematology parameters, serum parameters, and small intestine histomorphology of broiler chickens at 42 days of age. Study Design: The study design was a completely randomized design. Place and Duration of Study:  Department of Animal, Aquaculture and Range Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, between September 2024 and March 2025. Methodology:  A total of 250 Day old broiler chicks were randomly assigned into six treatments with four replications of 10 chicks each. Compounded feed and aqueous Mutingia calabura leaves extract were supplied ad libitum throughout the experiment. Mutingia calabura leaves were harvested from SUA farm, then air dried for three weeks then milled to obtain milled leaves. The treatment groups consisted of T1 (positive control), T2 (0g/L), T3 (2g/L) T4 (4g/L), T5 (6g/L), and T6 (8g/L). Parameters measured were small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) histomorphology (villus height, villus width, crypt depth, and villus height to crypt depth ratio), blood serum biochemistry, and hematology parameters. The recorded data were analyzed under one-way analysis of variance using SAS, and the comparison of means was done using Turkey-test.  Results: Results show that MCL significantly (P=0.05) affects the hematological parameters while lymphocytes, RDW, and MCHC showed no significant differences. Birds treated with T5-6g/L were observed to have higher values of WBC, followed by T4-4g/L, T1-positive control, T3-2g/L, T6-8g/L the least being T1-positive control. RBC and hemoglobin were higher in T5-6g/L, T4-4/g/L, and T3-2g/L while T2-negative control showed least value.  Significant differences were observed in total protein and AST. Total protein was high in T5 followed by T4, T6, T3, T2, and least in T1 while, AST was high in T1 but still in the normal range.  MCL showed a significant difference in histomorphology parameters and was observed to increase VH, VW and VH/CD as the level of dose increases up to 6g/L (T5). Conclusion: Conclusively, MCL can be used as feed additive to improve intestinal and blood parameters of broilers.