The present study was conducted to examine the antioxidant potential of African mistletoe (Viscum album L.) as alternative feed additive for Laying Pullets. Fresh African mistletoe leaves were harvested from cocoa trees and shade dried to constant weight. The leaves were grounded and were designated as mistletoe leaf meal (AMLM). Total of sixty ISA Brown pullets at 18 weeks old were randomly allocated to four dietary treatment consisting of 5 replicates with 3 birds per replicate, when egg production was 4% in a completely randomized design. The birds were fed layer ration and dietary mistletoe supplement as treatments T1 (basal diet + 0% AMLM), T2 (basal diet + 2% AMLM), T3 (basal diet + 4%AMLM) and T4 (basal diet + 6%AMLM) during 16 week feeding trial. At 8th week and end of the feeding trial, blood samples were collected through the Jugular vein into a sample bottle from all birds for serum oxidative indicator assay; malondialdehyde (mMDA/mgprotein), total antioxidant activity (mmol/litre), glutathione peroxidase (GPx, µgGSH/ min/mgprotein), superoxide dismutase (SOD, U/min/mg protein) and catalase (nmH2O2/min/ mg protein) using standard procedures. The result obtained revealed that at 8 weeks of lay, lipid peroxidation in laying pullets were significantly (P<0.05) lowered by mistletoe supplementation while total antioxidant activity of significantly (P<0.05) increased with mistletoe inclusion. Pullets fed 6% mistletoe supplemented diets significantly (P<0.05) enhanced catalase and glutathione peroxidase activity. Total antioxidant activity and all antioxidant enzymes of laying pullets increased, as laying cycle progresses, while lipid peroxidation reduced. This could signify that laying pullets have better antioxidative stability at 16 weeks of lay compared than pullets at 8weeks of lay. It can be concluded that African mistletoe leaf meal inclusion in laying pullets diet enhance antioxidant profile in pullets.inforMAtion Cronología del artículo. Recibido/Efecto antioxidativo de las dietas suplementadas de las comidas de hoja de mantequilla en las pulletas de colocación resUMen El presente estudio se llevó a cabo para examinar el potencial antioxidante del muérdago africano (Viscum album L.) como aditivo alimenticio alternativo para las gallinas ponedoras. Las hojas frescas del muérdago africano fueron cosechadas de los árboles del cacao y la cortina secó al peso constante. Las hojas se pusieron a tierra y se designaron como harina de muérdago (AMLM). Se asignaron aleatoriamente a un total de sesenta pollos marrones ISA a las 18 semanas de edad a cuatro tratamientos dietéticos consistentes en 5 repeticiones con 3 aves por repetición, cuando la producción de huevos fue del 4% en un diseño completamente al azar. Las aves fueron alimentadas con raciones de raciones y suplementos de muérdago dietético como tratamientos T1 (dieta basal + 0% AMLM), T2 (dieta basal + 2% AMLM), T3 (dieta basal + 4% AMLM) y T4 (dieta basal + 6% AMLM) ) durante el ensayo de alimentación de 16 semanas. A la octava semana y al final del ...

This study aims to evaluate variations in serum biochemistry and oxidative status between male and female WestAfrican dwarfgoats under semi intensive management system. Twenty, each of bucks and does (12 months old) were randomly selected from a herd purchased from Oyo livestock market, in Oyo State. The average body weights of the goats were12.08 ± 3.26 and 12.15 ± 1.51kg does and bucks, respectively. Blood samples were collected from fastened goats and assayed for serum biochemicals, lipid peroxidation,  total antioxidant activity, catalase and superoxide dismutase using standard procedures. Data obtained were subjected to T-test. The result showed serum glucose, albumin,  cholesterol, total protein, globulin, triglyceride, creatinine, alanine amino transferase(ALT),aspartate amino transferase(AST) and urea were not significantly (P>0.05) different among the sexes. Serum high density lipoprotein was significantly (P<0.05) higher in does (13.96 mmol/l) than in bucks (5.91mmol/l) and alkaline phosphatase was significantly (P<0.05) higher in bucks (2580.55 IU/L) than in does (1594.58 IU/L). Serum lipid peroxidation, total antioxidant activity and superoxide dismutase were statistically similar (P>0.05) in both sexes. Serum catalase was significantly (P<0.05) higher in bucks than in does. From this study, it can be deduced that serum biochemical indices in does and bucks are similar except for alkaline phosphatase and high density lipoprotein. Bucks recorded higher catalase than does.It could be concluded that during physiological and environmental stress conditions, antioxidant supplementation should be adopted to boost the antioxidant capacity of the does.

Oxidative stress results from increased production of free radicals and reactive oxygen species, and a decrease in antioxidant defense. This study was conducted to assess sexual dimorphism in serum biochemistry and oxidative status of West African dwarf lambs. Sixteen each of rams and ewes 8months old were randomly selected from a herd purchase from livestock market, Oyo. The average body weights of the lambs were 12.08±3.26 and 12.76kg ewes and rams, respectively. Fastened blood samples were collected from the sheep and assayed for serum biochemical, lipid peroxidation, total antioxidant activity, catalase and superoxide dismutase using standard procedures, data obtained were subjected to T-test. The result indicated that both sex had similar serum biochemical indices except total protein. Ewes had significantly higher serum protein than ram. Rams had apparently higher total antioxidant activity and significantly higher serum catalase activity than ewes, while serum lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase were statistically similar in both sexes. This indicates that rams have better antioxidant activity than ewes. During oxidative stress prone conditions and environment, measures to boost antioxidant activity of ewes should be emphasized.

Oxidative stress results from increased production of free radicals and reactive oxygen species, and a decrease in antioxidant defense. This study was conducted to assess sexual dimorphism in serum biochemistry and oxidative status of West African dwarf lambs. Sixteen each of rams and ewes 8months old were randomly selected from a herd purchase from livestock market, Oyo. The average body weights of the lambs were 12.08±3.26 and 12.76kg ewes and rams, respectively. Fastened blood samples were collected from the sheep and assayed for serum biochemical, lipid peroxidation, total antioxidant activity, catalase and superoxide dismutase using standard procedures, data obtained were subjected to T-test. The result indicated that both sex had similar serum biochemical indices except total protein. Ewes had significantly higher serum protein than ram. Rams had apparently higher total antioxidant activity and significantly higher serum catalase activity than ewes, while serum lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase were statistically similar in both sexes. This indicates that rams have better antioxidant activity than ewes. During oxidative stress prone conditions and environment, measures to boost antioxidant activity of ewes should be emphasized.