Effects of Cassia abbreviata extract and stocking density on growth performance, oxidative stress and liver function of indigenous chickens

Abstract

The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of stocking density and extract from Cassia abbreviata stem bark on growth performance, oxidative stress and liver function of indigenous chickens. A total of 420 1-day-old female Ovambo chicks with initial body weight of 0.32 ± 0.036 kg (mean ± SD) were used in the study. Birds, which were cooped in stocking densities consisting 5, 10 and 20 birds/m2, were orally administered with 0, 50, 200 and 500 mg/kg of extract from C. abbreviata stem bark. Each stocking density per dosage level of extract was repeated three times. Average feed intake was lower (P < 0.05) in birds housed at 20 birds/m2. There was a low (P < 0.05) average daily gain in birds housed at 20 birds/m2. Malondialdehyde was higher (P < 0.05) in 20 birds/m2. Average daily gain was high (P < 0.05) in birds administered with 0 and 50 mg/kg of C. abbreviata stem bark extract. Birds administered with 0 and 50 mg/kg of C. abbreviata stem bark extract had a higher (P < 0.05) gain to feed ratio. Birds dosed with 500 and 200 mg/kg had high (P < 0.05) superoxide dismutase activity. Birds administered with 500 mg/kg of C. abbreviata stem bark extract had the lowest (P < 0.05) malondialdehyde. A 500 mg/kg of stem bark extract from C. abbreviata resulted to higher (P < 0.05) activities of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase. There was a significant (P < 0.05) interaction between the stocking density and C. abbreviata extract on catalase activity. High stocking density of 20 birds/m2 reduced growth performance and induced stress in indigenous chickens. High dosage of level 500 mg/kg of stem bark extract of C. abbreviata reduced oxidative stress while depressing growth performance and causing hepatotoxicity in birds. There is a need to precisely determine the maximum dosage level of C. abbreviata extract to improve growth performance and reduce oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity in indigenous chickens in high stocking density.

Performances of Crossbred Chickens Fed Fermented Papaya Leaf and Seed Powder at High Stocking Density

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Environmental Stress in Chickens and the Potential Effectiveness of Dietary Vitamin Supplementation

“…Antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidases (Gpx) utilize synergistic actions in scavenging free radicals and ROS (Fang et al, 2002). Elevated SD increased malondialdehyde (MDA) significantly while the SOD and CAT activity remained unaffected (Jobe et al, 2019). As reported by Simsek et al (2009), high SD increased serum MDA level and reduced GSH-Px but did not change serum CAT and GSH levels.…”

Lighting, density, and dietary strategies to improve poultry behavior, health, and production

“…Stocking density largely influences the total performance of poultry birds such as broiler chickens, and several studies reported adverse effects of higher SD on bird's growth and productivity (Petek et al 2014;Chegini et al 2018). Increasing the SD of birds slowed development, growth, and increased oxidative stress (Jobe et al 2019). High SD (20 birds/m 2 ) can adversely affect broiler chickens' growth performance and market weight (Cengiz et al 2015).…”