Abstract
The blood of animals overtime are used for diagnostic purposes and as a marker to ascertain their health status and physiologic well-being especially after exposure to factors such as nutritional changes. This study evaluated the effect of dietary Garcinia kola seeds on the haematology, and serum biochemistry of broiler chickens. A total of one hundred and eighty unsexed day-old Anak broiler chicks were randomly assigned to five treatment groups in a completely randomized design (CRD) with each containing thirty-six (36) chicks. The treatments were further replicated three times with each replicate containing twelve (12) chicks each. Five starter and finisher diets were formulated for the five treatment groups (T1-T5). Treatment one (T1) being the control diet contained zero G. kola, while T2, T3, T4 and T5 contained 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0% of G. kola respectively. The birds were allowed access to feed and water ad libitum. They were fed the starter diet from day 1 to day 28 while the finisher was fed from day 29 to day 56. The blood for haematology and serum biochemical indices analysis was collected on the last day of the experiment and was analyzed in the University laboratory. The results showed that G. Kola at 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2% levels had a significant effect on the blood composition especially 2% which significantly increased (p<0.05) white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets, total protein, globulins, triglyceride and very low-density lipoprotein. Packed cell volume, creatinine, urea and low-density lipoprotein on the other hand were significantly reduced at 2% (p<0.05). The results showed that G. kola had a significant positive effect on the health and immune system of broiler chickens but mostly significant (p<0.05) at a 2% level of inclusion and is hence recommended as a more effective level of inclusion, while higher levels can also be further evaluated.