Haematological and serum biochemical indices of starter broilers fed leaf meal of neem (Azadirachta indica)

A 28-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf meal on the haematological and serum biochemical indices of starter broilers. The Neem leaves used in the experiment were manually harvested, air-dried and milled to become Neem leaf meal. The Neem leaf meal was included in broiler starter diets at 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10% levels, respectively. One hundred and fifty (150) Anak broiler starter chicks raised on a commercial starter mash for one week were used. They were divided into 5 groups of 30 birds each and randomly assigned to the 5 experimental diets in a completely randomized design (CRD). Each group was sub-divided into 3 replicates of 10 birds each and each replicate housed in a pen fitted with necessary brooding facilities. Feed and water were given to them ad libitum for 4 weeks. Proximate analysis of the Neem leaf meal displayed same characteristics as leaf meals from other tropical browse plants high crude fibre (15.56%) and moderate crude protein content (18.10%). At the end of the feeding trial, blood was collected from the birds, 4 per treatment and analysed for haematological and serum biochemical indices. Haemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV) of the birds were significantly reduced (P<0.05) but not below the level considered normal for birds. No traces of monocytes, eosinophils and basophils were observed. Blood sugar was significantly raised (P<0.05) by the leaf meal but cholesterol was significantly (P<0.05) decreased. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) decreased with increase in leaf meal (P<0.05). Serum electrolytes: calcium, sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate tended to show that Neem leaf meal up to 10% dietary inclusion level could still maintain the integrity of the kidney in boosting cation /anion exchange. The haematological and serum biochemical parameters obtained from this study suggested that dietary Neem leaf meal has no deleterious effects on the internal physiology of starter broilers.